Nigeria’s 2015 presidential elections could descend into chaos if alleged irregularities and bungling in a key local vote are repeated nationally, politicians and activists are warning. Nearly two weeks after voters went to the polls to elect a new governor in southeastern Anambra state, there is still no result and Nigeria’s electoral watchdog has ordered a re-run in some constituencies this weekend. The November 16 election in the mineral-rich state was seen as an early indication of support for President Goodluck Jonathan before his expected run for re-election in about 18 months. Jonathan’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been split by his election ambitions and on Tuesday a splinter group of prominent politicians and powerful governors defected to the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Provisional results in Anambra gave victory to the All Progressives Grand Alliance party of incumbent governor Peter Obi – a Jonathan ally.
But the PDP, APC and Labour Party all called for a complete re-run, with one senior figure calling it a “parody of an election” after some people were denied the chance to vote, despite being on the electoral roll.
Ballot boxes, papers and other election material went missing, while police also imposed tough restrictions on movement into and out of the state, which was viewed in some circles as harassment and intimidation.
Lawyer and activist Festus Keyamo told AFP only 451 826 people voted – well under half of the 1.8 million voters eligible for the exercise – dismissing the exercise as a “sham” and a danger for the whole country.
Full Article: Fears for Nigeria-wide vote – Africa | IOL News | IOL.co.za.
