Abuja — THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday raised an alarm that the National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday should not be jeopardised by the fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide. At an interactive session with non governmental organisations and election monitoring group's, the commission's secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba -Ahmed said punctuality of its staff at the 120,000 polling booths nationwide could not be guaranteed under the circumstances. He said INEC might have to rely on the use of donkeys and bicycles to convey its men and materials to the booths in some parts of the country. His words: "We do not know our fate much as the fuel situation still lingers. If it remains like this, I think we may have to rely on donkeys and bicycles, especially in areas where they are available. We can also not guarantee that our 600,000 officials will be at the polling centres at the prescribed time."

According to the secretary, adequate efforts had been made with the NNPC to provide fuel for the movement of the monitors and other interested Nigerians to the polling centres. Commenting on the on-going exercise of exchanging the tear off voting slips for voters' cards, the INEC secretary disagreed with the view that the period provided would be inadequate. He said three days are enough if only Nigerians are serious and determined."

In another development, the presidential candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari said INEC should be held responsible for the success or failure of the transition politics. Allaying fears that his party might be working against holding the presidential election on April 19, Maj-Gen. Buhari said his party was fully prepared for the exercise.

He challenged President Obasanjo to institute a probe into his tenure as chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund. Speaking during a campaign tour of Edo State, the ANPP the ANPP candidate argued that multiparty system had proved to be a better form of democracy.

Also, the military authorities have debunked reports that armed forces personnel would be used as security escorts for electoral officials and materials. Responding directly to last weekend's controversial announcement by the INEC chairman that the military would be involved in the exercise, a senior military officer said the military would only take orders from their commander-in-chief. He said only in the event of an outbreak of violence would the military be drafted into the security arrangement.

And, in Abuja, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) rejected the new voters' register released last weekend by the INEC. In a statement signed by the party's Director of Publicity, Mr. Okorie Orji, the party said the disqualification of 676,273 voters in Anambra State amounted to fraud. The party also called for removal of INEC's Resident Electoral Commissioner in Zamfara State on ground of collusion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His words: "How can 676,293 people be disqualified in Anambra State alone, the highest figure on the list, an APGA stronghold and presidential flagbearer, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's home state."

The presidential candidate's running mate, Alhaji Sani Shinkaji accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner of planning to manipulate the election results which may cause confusion, violence and unnecessary bloodshed."