THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last night expressed regret over the reported arrest yesterday of duly accredited election observers deployed for the presidential elections.
INEC, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, described the situation as unfortunate.
He said: ”Reports available to the Commission indicate that persons suspected to be partisan agents, parading as observers, were arrested by security agents in some areas of the country.
“Some duly accredited observers were said to have been initially arrested along with the fake ones, but were promptly released after their accreditation was established.
“The Commission wishes to reassure all observers duly accredited for the ongoing general election of their right to continue with their duties within the ambit of the law.
“The Commission also seizes this opportunity to urge all stakeholders to continue to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.”
But the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), which monitored the polls, has applauded the process. It commended INEC for doing a good job at the polls.
The former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Mr. Alejz Peterle, who spoke with reporters in Abuja after visits to various polling units in Abuja yesterday, stated that his personal observations and initial reports received from the EU EOM’s 141 observers indicate that the accreditation and voting process went on smoothly in most places.
He said: “It is my pleasure to report to you the observations of 141 European observers deployed to various Nigerian states. Our opinion is that this election is much better than the one conducted last week; polling units were predominantly opened on time and our observers only saw few cases of missing electoral materials.
“We observed less disorder and very patient voters; it is important that this atmosphere of little or no violence is maintained. The atmosphere is generally calm and peaceful.
“One of my personal observations at several polling units is that INEC staff were particularly attentive to pregnant women, giving them priority.
“I cannot state the specific places where few incidents occurred because I did not go there personally but in the comprehensive report that we will present, there will be appropriate details.”
According to Peterle, it is also apparent that INEC has undertaken some measures to minimise complaints about voter names that were missing from the register last week.
Guardian
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayINEC, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, described the situation as unfortunate.
He said: ”Reports available to the Commission indicate that persons suspected to be partisan agents, parading as observers, were arrested by security agents in some areas of the country.
“Some duly accredited observers were said to have been initially arrested along with the fake ones, but were promptly released after their accreditation was established.
“The Commission wishes to reassure all observers duly accredited for the ongoing general election of their right to continue with their duties within the ambit of the law.
“The Commission also seizes this opportunity to urge all stakeholders to continue to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.”
But the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), which monitored the polls, has applauded the process. It commended INEC for doing a good job at the polls.
The former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Mr. Alejz Peterle, who spoke with reporters in Abuja after visits to various polling units in Abuja yesterday, stated that his personal observations and initial reports received from the EU EOM’s 141 observers indicate that the accreditation and voting process went on smoothly in most places.
He said: “It is my pleasure to report to you the observations of 141 European observers deployed to various Nigerian states. Our opinion is that this election is much better than the one conducted last week; polling units were predominantly opened on time and our observers only saw few cases of missing electoral materials.
“We observed less disorder and very patient voters; it is important that this atmosphere of little or no violence is maintained. The atmosphere is generally calm and peaceful.
“One of my personal observations at several polling units is that INEC staff were particularly attentive to pregnant women, giving them priority.
“I cannot state the specific places where few incidents occurred because I did not go there personally but in the comprehensive report that we will present, there will be appropriate details.”
According to Peterle, it is also apparent that INEC has undertaken some measures to minimise complaints about voter names that were missing from the register last week.
Guardian
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