The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has reiterated the full support of the UN to the new dates (March 28 and April 11) fixed for the conduct of the Nigeria’s general elections.
This was contained in a statement issued by UN Spokesman, Stephane DuJarric, in New York on Saturday.
The secretary-general explained that the UN High-Level Representative to Nigeria, led by Mohamed Ibn Chambas, would remain actively engaged with the Nigerian authorities over the coming weeks.
The UN scribe “strongly urges the Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure these new dates are maintained, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.”
He welcomed the commitments by the presidential candidates to respect the new elections dates.
The Secretary-General commended the progress made by INEC in the preparation for the elections, including the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards.
Ban urged all relevant national institutions to continue to work with INEC to ensure all voters can exercise their constitutional rights to participate in the elections freely and without intimidation.
The Secretary-General nevertheless expressed strong concern over reports of election-related violence.
He urged all political leaders to adhere to their commitments under the Abuja Accord to refrain from inflammatory statements.