There Were Severe Problems In Rivers, Akwa Ibom - EU Election Observer

 

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria has said that the “severe problems” which characterised the just concluded elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States should be investigated.

According to Punch the Chief Observer of the EU, Mr. Santiago Fisas, noted in a statement on Monday that the April 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections witnessed “more efficient polling” although there were “increased incidents of violence and interference‎.”

“Credible reports show that problems were very severe in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. These warrant further investigation,” the statement quoted Fisas as saying on Monday during the presentation of the mission’s second preliminary statement in a press conference in Abuja.

Fisas noted that there was remarkable improvement in the conduct of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections over the Presidential and federal legislative elections.

The EU representative, who said his team would remain in Nigeria to monitor the election petition process, added that there was still need for “systematic improvement” in the electoral process.

The statement read in part, “Overall the April 11 election process appeared to be more efficient, with polling staff working diligently and improvements evident in the more timely opening of polling sites. However our findings also show space for systemic improvements. Procedural shortcomings continued to be prevalent.

 

“Card reader fingerprint verification was sometimes problematic, party agents were at times seen interfering in polling officials’ work, and essential ballot checks were not consistently performed during counting and collation,” said the Chief Observer.

“EU EOM observers saw no evidence of centralised systematic fraud although some attempts at manipulation were observed.”

‎The EOM also commended Nigerians, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders including political parties and candidates “for the continued commitment to the electoral process.”

Fisas also encouraged those with grievances to address them through official channels. The Chief Observer called on candidates, parties and citizens to respond peacefully to the results.

The statement noted that the preliminary statement would be followed by a final report, “with recommendations for consideration by the Nigerian authorities, to be presented to the public at a later stage.”

Meanwhile the international election observers on Sunday April 12 called for the cancellation of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers state.