2019: Conduct Of Security Personnel Will Determine Credible Elections- US, EU, UK
The European Union, United Kingdom and United States Missions in Nigeria have identified the conduct of security personnel and party agents as crucial for free, fair and credible polls in 2019.
In a joint statement in Abuja on Saturday as a fallout of the Osun re-run elections, the missions expressed concern over the “widespread incidents of interference and intimidation of voters, journalists, and civil society observers by some political party supporters and security agencies.”
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According to the Missions, “many of our findings mirror those of leading civil society groups that observed the election.
“We commend the work of INEC leadership during both elections. But it is clear that the neutrality of the security services and responsible conduct by party agents, both inside and outside polling units, will be essential to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2019.”
They called on all stakeholders to remain calm and urge that any challenges to the election result be made through peaceful and lawful means.
The Osun re-run governorship election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Gboyega Oyetola as winner was widely condemned by observers as lacking the minimum requirement of an election.
