|
Press Statement of the African Union
Observer/Monitoring Team to the Nigeria General Elections
Office of the AU Observer/Monitoring Mission to the
General Elections in Nigeria, April 2003
The 20-member AU Observer/Monitoring Team to the Nigeria
General Elections, led by Prof. Abdoulaye Bathily, Deputy
Speaker, National Assembly of Senegal and composed of
Ambassadors, Electoral Officials, Representatives of
Civil Society Organisations, Human Rights and other
Officials arrived in Nigeria on 9th April 2003.
The Group was preceded by an Advance Team of three
officials who arrived in the country on 3rd April 2003
to prepare the logistics for the participation of the
Team. Since the arrival in Nigeria, Team has interacted
with Officials of INEC, some political stakeholders
and other International Observer Groups and domestic
monitors.
1. On Saturday, 12th April 2003, the African Union
(AU) observed Senatorial and House of Representatives
Elections in Kaduna, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.
2. The AU is encouraged by the tenacity of purpose expressed
by the Nigerian electorate to have the democratic process
in Nigeria consolidated and deepened as demonstrated
by high level of patience and co-operation among Polling
Officials and the populace.
3. The delegation wishes also to note the extent of
arrangements made to secure the electoral process, given
the pre-election fears expressed about the potential
conflicts and disputes prior to elections. It was remarkable.
4. In spite of the logistical problems faced by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the
delegation is encouraged by the congenial atmosphere
within which the elections were generally conducted.
5. The delegation is grateful for the extension of invitation
by the Federal Government of Nigeria and INEC, not only
to the AU, but also to other international observer
groups to participate uninhibited in observing the elections.
Furthermore, the emergence of domestic observers as
part of the observation and monitoring of the electoral
process is indeed a healthy indicator for democracy,
which should be nurtured.
6. The delegation would like to draw the attention of
INEC to the logistical and other organisational problems
(ie. a generally smaller compliment of Polling Officials,
late delivery of electoral materials, late opening of
Polling Stations, etc) and hopes sincerely that these
will be addressed for the next elections scheduled for
Saturday, 19th April 2003.
7. We would urge all Nigerians, particularly INEC and
the political parties, to co-operate in making the Presidential
and Gubematorial Elections a success.
8. The delegation firmly believes that a thriving democratic
ethos and practice in Africa's largest political and
economic entity is significant for all of Africa.
9. On the whole, the AU is pleased that the elections
were conducted in a peaceful and tolerant atmosphere.
Issued by the AU Elections Observer Mission to Nigeria
Monday, 14th April 2003
|
