This is contained in it preliminary report after the regional bloc deployed a 250-member mission of long-term and short-term observers headed by former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission (EOM) described the Nigerian elections as free and transparent despite some incidents and logistical challenges.This is contained in it preliminary report after the regional bloc deployed a 250-member mission of long-term and short-term observers headed by former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.
According to the five-page preliminary report the “shortcomings” require remedial action by the authorities to further enhance the credibility of the electoral process.
“Notwithstanding these shortcomings, the organization of the election can be considered as generally acceptable,” the Mission said in the 22-point Declaration.
The regional body highlighted card reader malfunctioning in some polling stations, especially in the finger print identification of voters resulting in the resort to the use of manual accreditation of voters, insufficient and non-availability of electoral material like ballot papers, indelible ink and incident forms in some polling stations, late arrival of electoral officials and material and delay in the voting process as some of the challenges.
“The Mission regrets the violent incidents that occurred during the electoral process in some parts of the country which in some cases led to the loss of lives and expressed its condolences to members of the families of those who lost their lives.”
It commended the enthusiasm, maturity, patience and sense of civic responsibility demonstrated by the electorate, and expressed the hope that the same spirit of respect for order and discipline will characterize the rest of the electoral process.
It noted the generally high voter turnout, with voters displaying commendable level of patience, discipline and organization and laudable participation of women and young people, and urged voters to maintain their high sense of responsibility and tolerance during the remaining election period.
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