THE recently concluded voter registration in the country has received endorsement by a European Union delegation. However, it urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consolidate successes recorded to ensure the April elections are conducted with a high degree of credibility.
Speaking in Abuja at a one-day forum organised by INEC for civil society organisations to review challenges of the voter registration and proffer solutions at the weekend, head of the delegation, Ambassador David McRae, described credible voter education as first step towards free, fair and transparent polls.
McRae said he was happy that the voter registration passed off well, despite initial hiccup. According to him, “we are happy that INEC rose to the occasion and everything went well.
“We are encouraged by the way INEC overcame the challenges and we hope that it would consolidate on achievements recorded and replicate similar feat during the April general elections.
“ To do that, we believe it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in Nigeria to join hands and work towards attaining the objective.”
The envoy also commended the high turn out of voters during the exercise, describing it as a demonstration of the wish of Nigerians to send a clear signal that, this time, they want to use their votes to elect leaders that would deliver quality leadership, devoid of corruption and other forms of vices.
McRae said the April elections would mark a watershed, as it would show the international community that Nigeria is ready to take its place in the comity of nations.
In his words, “The world is watching Nigeria, and West Africa as represented by Nigeria because of its size and endowments. Therefore, the EU believes CSOs hold the key to attainment of credible elections in Nigeria. The EU values the role of CSOs and their collaboration with INEC to safeguard the vote of the people.”
Source: The Guardian
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