Nigeria Elections: Commonwealth interim report out Monday

The Commonwealth Observer Group said on Saturday that it would issue an interim statement on the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Monday.
The leader of the group and former Malawian president, Bakili Muluzi, said this in a statement he issued in Abuja.

Mr. Muluzi said the interim report would be followed by an extensive final report covering all aspects of the group’s observations.

He said the group’s mandate was to observe and consider all aspects of the electoral process to see if the elections were credible and transparent.

According to him, the Commonwealth observer group acts impartially and independently.

Mr. Muluzi said the group would also assess the compliance of the conduct of the elections with International democratic standards and principles to which Nigeria is committed as a UN member state.

He advised Nigerians to come out and vote the party of their choice.

According to him, the election is an opportunity for Nigerians to express their will through the ballot box.

“Today is an opportunity for the people of Nigeria to exercise their fundamental right to express their will through the ballot box. 

“We are encouraging all Nigerians to come out and vote the party of their choice,” he said.

He commended Thursday’s reaffirmation of the Abuja Peace Accord by President Goodluck Jonathan and retired General Muhammadu Buhari, the two leading contenders in the election.

“On behalf of the Commonwealth Observer Group, I welcome the reaffirmation of the Abuja Peace Accord by the main presidential candidates on Thursday. 

“I urge all stakeholders to remain calm and peaceful,” he said.

(NAN)