Clement Nwoji, Abuja

It, therefore, urged the vice president to show restraint in his comments against the commission.

The commission made the appeal in a statement endorsed by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Andy Ezeani and made available to Daily Champion weekend.

It noted that this crucial moment requires the commitment and cooperation of all Nigerians and politicians to ensure political stability the country deserves by strengthening the electoral process.

According to INEC, "unfortunately, not all politicians seem to want a free and fair election in 2007 in spite of various public pretensions. There is mounting evidence that a section of the political class is indeed up in arms against the plan leadership to close all avenues to crooked victory in elections".

INEC allayed the Vice President’s fears, stressing, "the platform which INEC is building for 2007 election is such as will not permit politicians to win elections the way many of them used to".

According to the commission, with the electronic voter register that does not condone multiple registration, authenticator that ensures the voting of only duly registered persons, counting at the polling centres and instant transmission of results, free and fair elections are assured.