{file}

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday warned regional electoral commissioners (RECs) posted to the 36 states against hobnobbing with governors to avoid being used to perpetrate fraud in the 2011 general elections.

The Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, in Abuja issued the warning at the inauguration of 16 new RECs. He said that the new INEC which had vowed to conduct internationally acceptable elections had reports which indicated the need for such caution.

INE which is reputed for rigging elections, he said, would be a different body under his administration, stressing that, “part of the efforts toward repositioning INEC is a reflection on the past practices so as to learn from them’’.

Jega added that the practice by some RECs in the recent past of going cap-in-hand to state governments for assistance is to be discouraged, arguing that “it is capable of undermining our independence’’.

He advised RECs to get in touch with the national headquarters to address whatever problems they might face.

“Such measures would be essential in ensuring public confidence in your work,’’ he added.

He requested that RECs should make an assessment of their readiness and capabilities at state and local government offices for the exercise.