Again, irregularities and violence have overshadowed an election in Nigeria. In Rivers state, the counting of the votes has been canceled. Now the security forces are in the criticism.
Voters protest against the stop the vote count in Nigeria’s Rivers state
For the second Time within a few weeks, Nigerians have chosen. And, actually, should be running in the gubernatorial and regional elections on Saturday, all better than the chaotic presidential elections two weeks earlier. But again, it came around the ballot irregularities and violence. In addition, the counting of the votes has been delayed, also on Monday evening, no results were available yet. Rivers state electoral Commission INEC has ordered a complete stop of the counting, as previously, the ballots destroyed, and the staff of the Commission had been deported.
Allegations against security forces
A total of were selected in 29 of the 36 States of Nigeria, new governors and deputies for the national parliaments. In Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers, called for thousands of protesters on Monday chanting Slogans against the acting Governor Nyesom Wike of the “Peoples Democratic Party” (PDP). In turn, called the stop the vote count as a “shameless attack”, come be a coup. Wike sees behind the decision of the election Commission is a conspiracy of the party “All Progressive Congress” (APC) of President Muhammadu Buhari and the security apparatus. “The army, the police and the election Commission is working with the government party, to the will of the people in Rivers to Hiking,” said Wike.
The approval he gets from Anniko Briggs, a female activist from Rivers. She is a supporter of Wikes PDP and the security forces of serious allegations: “During the elections we have seen the military at strategic points in the Rivers state”, she says Interview with DW. Allegedly, the soldiers would have taken over even the office of the independent electoral Commission.
Poll workers in the tallying of the economic metropolis of Lagos
Governors play an important role
In Federal Nigeria, the governors have not only a large political influence, but some have larger Budgets than some of the neighboring countries of Nigeria. Many hold the regional elections, therefore, is just as important as the elections at the Federal level. “These are the most important elections, for things like education, water supply, health all fall within the competence of the länder parliaments, and governors,” says Idayat Hassan, Director of the centre for democracy and development (CDD) in Abuja. “Everyone is trying everything to lift the representatives of its choice into office,” said Hassan in a DW Interview.
Already in the presidential election at the end of February, there had been significant organizational errors and omissions. The election Commission just a few hours before the Opening of polling stations on the election date by one week to the 23. February moved. But the delay remained apparently unused, many polling stations opened with hours of delay, or even until the following day. In addition, the electronic reading devices for the select did not work in many places out of the way. In particular, in the South-East of the country, armed gangs voters prevented the election or devastated the polling stations.
Opposition to contest election
Finally, was won by President Muhammadu Mainly against his political opponents of Atiku Abubakar. But the low turnout of 36 percent, which illustrates the Frustration of many voters about both candidates. Was overshadowed by the presidential election, also by violent incidents, with at least 53 dead. The Opposition spoke of a heavy choice undwill fraud is the result of a court challenge. The umbrella organization, the “Situation Room”, a mouthpiece for 70 civil society groups, also calls for an independent investigation of the election.
Rivers state allegations, according to were had, security forces trying to manipulate the regional elections
The election observers of the European Union, joined Monday the criticism: “The structural failure and safety problems in the last weeks and months, that reforms in Nigeria are urgently needed,” said Maria Arena, head of the observer Mission at a press conference in Abuja. “We support a national debate on the Reform of the electoral process, and firmly believe that they could make an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.”
New elections will not give it in Nigeria, estimates Idayat Hassan from the center for democracy and development in West Africa. In the unstable state of Rivers, she sees no Chance of a new vote. “This is too difficult, because already in the 2015 elections, it came to almost six passages until the election could be completed.”
Employees: Bello Muhammad, Ineke Mules