We Are Disappointed With Nigeria’s 2019 General Elections — US

Nigerian Elections: U.S. decries vote buying, voter intimidation

The United States government says it is disappointed by the scale of irregularities in the Nigerian 2019 general elections.

The
U.S. government said from the reports it garnered from observers
groups; voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by security
forces, and violence marred the electoral process in parts of the
country.
It said this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.

It,
however, urged stakeholders and security services to ensure a free,
fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful election process ahead of the
Saturday supplementary governorship election and in future elections.

The
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 12 announced
supplementary governorship elections in states where it declared the
polls inconclusive.

The states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue,
Kano, Plateau, and Sokoto. But the supplementary governorship polls will
hold in only five states on Saturday due to judicial interventions.

Also
in the statement, the U.S government extended its condolences to the
families of those who lost their lives during the election process,
adding that it would continue to support the national democratic
process.
”As noted by many observer groups in their preliminary
reports, we too were disappointed by the low voter turnout as well as
credible reports of voter intimidation, vote buying, interference by
security forces, and violence in some locations.

”As the 2019
electoral cycle comes to an end, we urge all stakeholders to work
towards a free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful process,
especially for the many Nigerians across the country who again will go
to polls on Saturday.

”We encourage all stakeholders, including
INEC, political parties, and the security services, to continue to
improve the electoral process for future elections.
”We are saddened
by those acts of violence and extend our deepest sympathy to the
families of those who lost their lives, including those who worked for
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security
services.”

The statement stressed that the United States has no
preferred candidates in the election, adding that it would remain
committed to working together to achieve a mutual goal for both
countries.

”The United States supports a democratic process where
the will of the Nigerian people is reflected in the results. As
long-time friends of Nigeria, we continue to follow closely the still
ongoing elections. We do not have a preferred party or candidate.

”We
look to Nigeria as an important leader on the African continent. As a
democratic partner of Nigeria, the United States remains committed to
working together to achieve our mutual goals of peace and prosperity for
the citizens of both our countries.”

Source:- Premiumtimesng