Abuja — The three major international observers, in separate preliminary press conferences, yesterday scored the conduct of the last Saturday presidential election across the country high. They, however, noted that some challenges remain to be addressed.

The leader of the European Union observers, Alojz Peterle, noted that there had been substantial improvement over the National Assembly elections.

Mariya Nedelcheva, head of the four-member strong delegation of the European Parliament, which joined the EU EOM before the presidential elections said: "Saturday's elections are a convincing proof that the Nigerian authorities, institution and electorate are determined to remain owners of their destiny and to run even better elections in the future."

According to the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs led by the former Prime Minister of Canada, Joe Clark, the election "represent a step forward with seriously flawed elections of the past and hold the promise of setting a new standard for integrity in Nigeria's electoral process."

The International Republican Institute (IRI) said the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address some deficiencies in the electoral process between the April 9 National Assembly elections and the presidential election was praise-worthy.

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The leader of IRI, former Prime Minister of Slovenian, Hon Janez Jansa, noted the role of women during the election but said the extent to which women are fully participating in the political process needs to be addressed.

Both organisations also commended the professionalism and independence of INEC, the leadership ability of the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and the overall integrity of the electoral process.

They, however, cited a number of problems that need to be addressed before the upcoming state elections and in the longer term. It recommended that actions be taken by INEC, political parties and security services before the next election, which are to split all polling places with over 500 voters into sub-units to improve efficiency and access to the process.

"Standardise implementation of procedures in all states and local government areas while ensuring security, sufficient staff and adequate facilities for collation centres, protect the rights of INEC accredited citizen observers, including their right to move freely on election day and rigorously follow and abide by provisions of the Code of Conduct prohibiting acts of violence, intimidation of voters and other violations of the Electoral Act.

Mr. Peterle encouraged voters to remain confident in the electoral process while calling on all stakeholders in the elections to maintain a peaceful and positive atmosphere and not to allow any intimidation. Some of the shortcomings, however, were the inconsistent implementation of procedures and attempts to influence voters. This, it said, could have negative impact on the trust of voters in the integrity of the electoral process.

Both observers promised to present it final findings after the whole elections in a final report reflecting a comprehensive analysis and suggestions.

The National Democratic Institute's (NDI) International observer mission has called on candidates and their supporters to utilise peaceful and legal means to resolve election-related complaints.

The delegation made this call yesterday at a press conference in Abuja even as it noted that pockets of violence trailed the just concluded presidential election in various cities.

Speaking through the co-leader of the delegation, the former President of Niger and former Speaker of ECOWAS, Mahamane Ousmane said the delegation notes with grave concern multiple incidents of violence in the post-election period that has resulted in the loss of lives and properties.

"On election day, two separate explosions struck Borno State. Two bombings occurred in Kaduna and a shooting in Jos left one person dead. Tensions between party supporters led to serious incidents of violence after the close of polls," Mahamane remarked.

He further noted that mob violence broke out in a number of states where party supporters damaged property and physically harmed and killed members of opposing parties or INEC officials.

Giving short-term recommendations, the co-leader and former prime minister of Canada, Joe Clark, submitted that political parties should rigorously follow and abide by provisions of the code of conduct prohibiting acts of violence, intimidation of voters and other violations of the Electoral Act.

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He further recommended that political parties should adopt transparent candidate choosen, campaign and party finance processes in compliance with 2010 electoral act and to refrain on extra-judicial and violent rejection of election results but to use peaceful and legal means to resolve electoral disputes.

Some of the long-term recommendations include that the government should finalise the legal framework at least six months before the election as stipulated by article 2.1 of the ECOWAS protocol for democracy and good governance.

It advised INEC to organise regular capacity training for its permanent and ad hoc staff.

ownAhouse:

Yes he has.

EU AND FOREIGN OBSERVERS COMMEND ELECTIONS:

seanet02:

Yes to a large extent, but[b] our ibo[/b] brothers almost dabaru his name with massive inflation of figures. Kind of hereditary trait in them you know.

father ab:

INEC's normal budget in 2011 is 45,393,833,865
(Source- http://www.budgetoffice.gov.ng/2011_budget/proposal_2011/change/48.%20Summary_INEC2.pdf)
But in addition to this, Jega the INEC Chair had appeared before Nigerians and the legislators to demand for Billions!!

First the Reputable INEC boss asked for N55Billion in July, 2010
(Source: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5597615-146/inec_wants_55b_for_voters_register.csp)

Then in August, he increased it to N72Billion later N84Billion
(Check: http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/editorial/9433-inec-and-voters-registration)

Some other factors above him like extension of the Voters registration made an additional N6.6Billion a necessity.
(http://www.newsonnigeria.com/voter-registrationinec-needs-n6-6b-for-extension-jega.html)

So all in all, this election which has been tagged by some persons as the most costly election in the world has gulped over N100 Billion just from INEC.

The entire exercise was characterized with scores of explosions in ranging from Bayelsa to Maiduguri. Infact detonating a Bomb became like [size=13pt]popping champagne[/size],
The National Assembly election was almost truncated by the failure of some 'unexposed' contractors not meeting their contracts with nothing done against them. On one hand, some sections of the oppositions hailed the shift as a divine interventions, some political bigwigs were dissappointed. It was alleged in some quarters that among those who were bankrupted by the shift is Senator Omisore who was believed to have distributed about N1.5 Billion to thugs and party agents alike.

Dozens of persons died before, during and after the Elections. There were pockets of burning of houses in many places. Hi-tech riggings were carried out in some places in South-West, South-East, middle belt and even North as attested by many Foreign observers. Under aged voters in the North Voted for Buhari and Jonathan alike. Two women made history in the Southwest when they entered YouTube free of charge by simply Thumb-printing hundreds of ballot papers while the Corpers and security looked the other way.

Despite all these crookedness, by and large, the entire election has come and gone except for a knotty imo case.
[b]Not being too hard or too soft on Jega and his INEC, do you think that the man has delivered himself and has escaped with his much talked about integrity?
Remember that a Serviving Senator Kanti bello was the one who first said 'JEGA HAS BEEN GIVEN BUNDLES OF ROPES TO HANG HIMSELF'. Do you genuinely think that Jega hung himself or he rather gave the ropes back to his critics?

enyojo:

In the real sense of it, I rate Jega's performance based on Location.

North-West=65%
North-East = 65%
North-Central=49%
South-South=13%
South-East=17%
South-West=90%

TOTAL=49.8=50% AVERAGE

damola1:

Our economy was shut down up to 8 x in April, how many days are there in a month sef?

seanet02:

Yes to a large extent, but our ibo brothers almost dabaru his name with massive inflation of figures. Kind of hereditary trait in them you know.

puskin:

. . . . . . .and when did Saturdays become working days??

jp philips:

Except for a very few, most of you here lack rational reasoning.

you want to score an electoral process and you use violence as your yardstick, whats the connection?
since when has Inec become a law enforcement agency of public complaint commission?

IMO list places where candidates are popular and juxtapose with the votes accrued to them, imagine an iwu that assigned 100% registered votes to a politician?
or you will think buhari won in Bayelsa? those are the only credible yardstick you can use not all these claptrap you guys are spewing.
for God's sake iwu did a good job on a tight leach. the only thing i found disgusting was the foundation of Inec, the president was a flag bearer and he appoints the INEC chief i term it conflict of interest, the house confirmation was mere formality.

what happened to selecting the inec boss through parliamentary referendum?.

For the first time in our history I saw majority voting the likes of Ngige and he turns out winner, fashola,Amechi Rochas etc.

power of incumbency or not, Nigerians Got their candidate of choice and Jega only guaranteed that.

A few months old CPC got a state and a runner up presidential candidate now, that is the people talking