The observers of Nigeria’s elections from the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) led by former presidents of Ghana and Liberia, Mr. John Kufuor and Mr. Amos Sawyer, have described Nigeria’s presidential and parliamentary elections that held on Saturday as a transparent, successful and credible one.
Both groups said that the process as it unfolded met basic criteria and standards for democratic elections in the region and around the world, despite some of the encountered challenges.
Mr. John Kuffour, while in Abuja on Sunday made this declaration stating his expression of satisfaction over the commitment made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and others in the electoral process.
“Security agents were present at most of the polling stations and on patrols in and around the cities as peaceful atmosphere prevailed in most parts of the country,’’ he said.
“The process of counting at the polling stations and the subsequent collations at designated centres were successful and in accordance with the Electoral Act.
“Some of the challenges the mission observed during the exercise included the late arrival of INEC officials in many polling stations and malfunctioning of Card Readers across the country,’’ he said.
Mr. Kuffour however confirmed the insufficiency or non-availability of electoral materials in some polling units, which led to accreditation delays and challenges in the voting processes:
“Cases of attempt to snatch ballot papers were reported in some polling stations leading to instances of uproar, shootings and sporadic violence in the affected polling stations.
“Despite efforts by the relevant agencies to secure the electoral exercise, explosions were also recorded in some parts of the country,’’ he said.