Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Maurice Iwu, announced on Tuesday that the next electoral cycle would open on May 29 to start preparations for the 2011 general elections.

The INEC chairman disclosed this in Abuja when the leadership of Global Initiative for African Development (GIFAD) paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

He identified four major factors that have continued to stultify smooth electoral process in the country.

While supporting the need for constitutional amendment, Iwu noted that some aspects of the electoral reform would not require amending the nation's Constitution.

According to him, INEC had identified early enough four basic problems confronting the smooth conduct of elections in Nigeria.

The first constraint, he said, is "excessive use of money," and stressed that merit, rather than money should be the cardinal factor for electing candidates into any political office.

The second factor, Iwu, also noted, is the "fear of violence".

He, however, believed that by 2011, INEC, with the support of such partners as GIFAD, would have been able to consolidate preaching peaceful conduct of elections.

On the third constraint, which is "gender inequality," Iwu believed that gender considerations would improve the quality of electoral process.

"It's not a question of morality but the fact is that women who have so far ventured into politics have excelled," he said.

According to the INEC boss, the fourth constraint is "the mindset of Nigerian politicians" who refuse to accept constitutionally laid down rules and procedures.

He expressed regrets that people who commit electoral violence turn around to blame the commission.

"It is strange that when players play rough game, instead of blaming them, the blame goes to the referee," he contended.

Leader of GIFAD, Breakforth Onwubia, explained that the visit was to formally congratulate Iwu and the commission for successfully conducting the 2007 elections in the face of all the odds.