How low can you go? This how, you get suspended from an association of former "slave" economies because you cannot conduct simple elections.

Who is voting for A?: 1,2,3; Who is voting for B?: 1,2,3,4? B wins.

When you cannot get that done, then you deserve to be disowned by your former "master".

Who wants to be in such an association anyway?

Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja
http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69710:2011-fail-and-be-suspended-commonwealth-tells-nigeria&catid=43:news&Itemid=799

Nigeria received stern warning yesterday from the Commonwealth Organization on the need to abide to democratic values by conducting credible, free and fair elections in 2011.

The organization, which Nigeria belongs to by virtue of her being colonized by Britain warned that Nigeria will face sanctions if it fails, adding that no country can now aspire to be a member of the organization without demonstrating adherence to democratic values.

The Commonwealth had in November 1995 suspended Nigeria for executing nine Ogoni activists, including the popular playwright, Ken Saro Wiwa, during the regime of late Gen. Sanni Abacha.


While delivering a speech yesterday during a workshop on credible elections in Nigeria at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja, leader of the Head of Africa Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Amb. Ayo Oke, reminded Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the whole world is watching Nigeria for the conduct of the 2011 general elections.

Oke also told the INEC management that the Commonwealth was prepared to assist Nigeria to conduct elections that will meet international expectations.

He said: “This workshop is a tangible illustration of our commitment to Nigeria and the importance we attach to assisting INEC to organize a credible and well managed election in 2011 that Nigerians will be proud of.

“The Commonwealth is committed to supporting the development and consolidation of democracy in its member states, and has developed a strong international reputation on the basis of that political commitment and its practical support to democratic processes and institutions. Indeed, no country can now aspire to be a member of the Commonwealth without demonstrating adherence to democratic values.

“Democracy is a belief, and an aspiration, a process, a work-in-progress, and one which often involves challenge and change. The task of facing that challenge has brought us to this gathering.

“The people of Nigeria have hopes vested in INEC, and the Commonwealth stands ready to assist you in every possible way in meeting the democratic aspirations of the people. We welcome the opportunity to work by your side in this endeavour.

“We look forward to the successful sharing of experiences at this workshop, and trust it will be a useful step in helping you deliver a peaceful, orderly and credible elections in 2011.

“We must be mindful of the fact that the eyes of the world will be focused on Nigeria, before, during and after these elections. I wish you well, in this gargantuan and challenging task.”

The INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in his earlier speech, said that the country had never been blessed with the conduct of a free and fair election that is openly endorsed by Nigerians and International observers.

Speaking on preparations made so far, Jega said: “We have adopted a methodology which will enable us do voters’ registration, polling units by polling units, within two weeks. By middle of December, the DDCM would have arrived and before the end of December, the machines would have been fully deployed to the states.