Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega has disclosed that no fewer than 21 presidential candidates would contest in the forthcoming April presidential election in Nigeria. He also said the commission registered about 67.7 million eligible voters during the just concluded voters’ registration exercise. Professor Jega stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the preparations for the April polls. He stressed that a total of 54 out of 63 political parties submitted candidates for various elective positions adding that only the ACN, ANPP, CPC and PDP presented candidates for all electives positions while others submitted candidates for few positions. The final list of nomination would be published by the commission between March 2nd and 16th, 2011, according to the INEC boss. “The Commission has begun deployment of non-sensitive equipment and consumables for the April elections. Plans have also been concluded for recruitment and training of 360,000 ad hoc staff that will be engaged by the Commission for the April elections. “This Commission will spare no effort to deliver on its promise that the elections will be free, fair and credible. We recognise that a major step towards achieving that goal is to be transparent with our operations.” Jega stated Source: African Examiner