US Institutes Express Fears Over 2019 General Elections

Two political institutes in the United States of America have expressed worries over the 2019 general elections.

The institutes said Nigeria’s persistent insecurity and the perception about the lack of neutrality on the part of security forces could undermine voter participation and confidence in the outcome of next year’s polls.

The US-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) made their fears known on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling the report of their 3rd joint pre-election assessment mission to Nigeria.

Speaking, the lead delegate of the joint assessment team, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said: “The delegation notes the positive efforts being made to conduct more transparent, accountable and inclusive elections, but confidence in the process and the outcome of the elections could still be undermined.

“Irresponsible political rhetoric threatens to weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral institutions and potentially incite violence. Widespread concerns about vote-buying, illegal voting, and efforts to compromise the secrecy of the vote on election day could lead to the rejection of election results or post-election violence.

“Further, given Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, perceptions about the lack of neutrality on the part of security forces could undermine participation in the election and confidence in the outcome despite assurances to the contrary.”