We cannot but urge our readers not to have a sense of déjà vu about tomorrow's rescheduled National Assembly elections. As patriots we must be stoic and continue to believe in the Nigeria project. This is the right thing to do, for the Nigeria project is all we have. This newspaper commends the Nigerian people for their fortitude as well as the deep imbuement of the democratic ethos which they showed last Saturday.

Even when the news filtered through that the electoral process had been put on hold, there was no outpouring of dissent. Certainly disappointed, but there were no rowdy scenes. It would of course have portrayed Nigerians as being less than human if they did not feel a tinge of disappointment. However, the admirable manner in which they accepted the temporary setback is instructive. The Nigerian people have certainly embraced democracy. By doing so and with such great enthusiasm they have put the lie to those who still quietly hanker after a restoration of authoritarian rule.

Nigerians have also not blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the glitches that occurred on Saturday. Admirably, they have not expected the INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega to play the part of a superman. We cannot but admire the understanding shown by our people on a day which could have turned combustible. For these reasons, tomorrow is payback time. The people have stood resolutely behind Professor Jega and he must now deliver. INEC must put its act together now after putting the country through what, if we are to be charitable, can best describe as an expensive dry-run.

We therefore expect that after such an expensive dry run all the logistics glitches will have been resolved. As we have pointed out in our editorial published on Wednesday, the economic cost of all of this has been high. The political parties themselves have borne a great monetary cost. For this reason it is in their best interest to ensure that nothing goes wrong again. The parties must not be involved in any shenanigans that could jeopardize the electoral process.

We also find it commendable that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has passed a vote of confidence in the INEC Chairman. This is a very important as well as sensible step and a great help in confidence building as we try to consolidate our nation's democracy. The role of the security forces is also very crucial. Those involved in operating the internal security mechanism, we must remember, are Nigerians in uniform. It is in their interest as much as everyone else's that the democratic process be consolidated. We therefore ask the security services to carry out their role in a thoroughly professional, non-partisan and de-politicised manner. Their job is to protect the voters and ensure the success of the democratic process. Every true democrat must wish them well as they carry out their duties in a non-partisan manner.

Finally, in line with the above, it is understandable that the Nigerian people are very anxious to stay at the polling centers in order to defend the sanctity of their vote. After the nightmarish 'elections' of 2007 they would be less than human if they did not do so. The security forces must assist them and recognize their democratic right to protect their vote. If they so wish they should not be obstructed from using their mobile phone cameras to protect their votes. Recordings on mobile phones are now accepted as evidence in the judicial process so there must be no impediment in their usage on Election Day.

The eyes of the world are on this our beautiful but perennially under achieving country. Let us confound the doubters and the cynics by ushering in a democratic spring when tomorrow comes.