EU, NDI, Commonwealth hail NASS, Presidential Polls

The International election observers on Monday hailed the National Assembly and presidential elections, saying they represented a departure from previous flawed polls.

The international groups, including the Commonwealth, European Union and the National Democratic Institute, stated this at separate news conferences in Abuja.

In a report presented by its Chairman, Mr. Festus Mogae, the Commonwealth Group said that the April 2011 elections “marked a genuine celebration of democracy in Africa’s most populous country and a key member of the Commonwealth.

“Previously held notions that Nigeria can only hold flawed elections are now being discarded and this country can now shake off that stigma and redeem its image.”

He stated that in spite of organisational deficiencies that characterised the botched April 2 polls, “the elections for the National Assembly and the presidency were both credible and creditable and reflected the will of the Nigerian people.”

The Commonwealth group attributed the success of the electoral process to the respect enjoyed by the Independent National Electoral Commission and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

“In him (Jega) the nation was able to look up to a person of deep integrity, transparency and commitment, who was determined to make every Nigerian’s vote count,” he added.

Mogae also commended members of the National Youth Service Corps, who worked as INEC ad hoc staff.

Assessing the electoral process, he said campaigns were generally peaceful. The former president of Botswana, however, said that the group was saddened by instances of violence during the campaigns

He urged INEC to improve the secrecy of voting, adding that polling units should be better improved.

The EU, in a preliminary report presented by its Chief Observer, Alojz Peterle, said, “The presidential election last Saturday marks an important step in strengthening democratoic elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He said almost all polling units opened timely, the atmosphere was predominantly peaceful and calm.

Peterle noted that there were shortcomings during voting. According to him, there was inconsistency in the implementation of voting procedures - by Niyi Odebode, Abuja

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