US advises INEC against under-age voting
The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Jonnie
Carson, has advised INEC against underage voting and other administrative
irregularities in the next two elections.
A statement issued by the United States Diplomatic Mission on Monday, in Abuja,
Nigeria’s Capital, said Carson, who visited the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr.
Odein Ajumogobia, commended INEC for conducting credible National Assembly
polls.
Commendation
Carson noted that in spite of the technical and security challenges during the
polls, the integrity and transparency of the elections was commendable.
He said:“ We hope that the general success achieved in this first round will be
carried over to the next two elections and the technical and security
shortcomings will lead to improvements over the next two weeks.”
“Despite violence and some organisational issues, Nigerian voters
enthusiastically went to the polls convinced that they had a say in choosing
their political leaders and returned home believing that their votes would be
fairly counted.This is an important achievement in Nigerian democracy,’’ he said.
Violence condemned
He condemned the violence and loss of lives in Suleja, Maiduguri and elsewhere
during the elections, and said that political intimidation had no place in
democracy.
Ajumogobia told Carson that the smooth conduct of the elections was a testimony
to government’s determination to ensure that democracy was entrenched in
Nigeria.
He said that the administration would continue to ensure that “the people’s
votes count’’ and was prepared to create a sustainable democracy.
NAN/Williams/Ekata
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