Elections: Nigeria’s presidential election results have been suspended

The release of presidential results continued on Monday after a hotly contested election in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, where delays in counting have fueled concerns and allegations of attempted fraud.

More than 87 million voters were called on Saturday from 18 candidates to choose a man who will restore Nigeria, four years into the tough task of rebuilding a country weighed down by a deadly economy, persistent violence by armed groups and bandits, and widespread poverty. in the population.

State-wise results will take time to announce: After releasing the figures for Ekiti, a small state in the southwest, on Sunday, the National Electoral Commission (INEC) adjourned to Monday morning. Nigeria has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“Pressures”

Earlier on Sunday, the candidate of the opposition party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, called on Inec to be neutral and release the results as soon as possible, accusing some governors of trying to compromise the electoral process.

“Anyone who disrupts the will of the people as freely expressed at the ballot box yesterday would be a shame and a denial of democracy to Nigerians,” the former vice president said in a statement. He is running for the presidency for the sixth time.

For its part, expatriate Peter Obi’s Labor Party accused Inec on Saturday evening of inciting “pressure” from the ruling party (APC) in Lagos State – which has the largest number of registered voters in the country (7 million) – and Delta (South-East).

“Technical Failure”

Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are among the three favorites to run against 70-year-old Bola Tinubu, who represents President Muhammadu Buhari’s APC, who has a much-criticized record of two constitutionally-deposed terms. Considered one of the most influential men in the country, this former governor of Lagos warned: This time, “it’s my turn”.

In a press release, Inec acknowledged the “technical difficulties” associated with using new technologies to collect and centralize results from around 176,000 polling stations for the first time in a national election. However, he assured that “these results are safe (…) and cannot be falsified”.

The vote was generally peaceful despite some security incidents and logistical disruptions, which caused delays and fueled fears of voter fraud, while previous elections have been marred by allegations of fraud.

Earlier yesterday evening, in many offices across the country, voters thronged into the night in a festive mood as they filmed the tally live on their smartphones and counted votes loudly with election agents.

Towards the second round?

In an unprecedented situation since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria could face two rounds of presidential elections if Peter Obi, who has succeeded in positioning himself as a serious opponent against the two parties that have traditionally dominated Nigerian politics, turns the test into a casket.

The former governor of Anambra (South-East), the 61-year-old, who supports the smaller Labor Party (LP), is very popular among Christian youths. His two main opponents, experienced in the exercise of power, benefit from a broad national base. In a country where both Muslim faiths and ethnic and religious votes are decisive, they are hoping to win more votes in the north, with a Muslim majority.

To be elected in the first round, the winner must receive at least 25% of the votes in Abuja territory from two-thirds of the 36 states of the federation, in addition to a majority of votes. Otherwise the second round should take place within 21 days.

(AFP)Show comments