Govt signs MoU with EU observers for 2015 polls

TO ensure violence-free, fair and credible elections in 2015, the Federal Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union (EU).      

Speaking at the event Monday in Abuja, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni  said the Federal Government is committed to ensuring free, fair and credible elections next year.

Sheni, who received members of the European Union, said the delegation were in the country to help in facilitating and monitoring of Nigeria’s general elections in 2015.

According to him, the observers will help the local observers and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in making sure that the 2015 elections is free, fair and credible judging from the 2011 elections in which the EU sees as the freest, fairest and credible elections.

 He said: “Nigeria welcomes the European Union as observers of its elections just as others because of the importance of neutral observers in the electoral process, adding that such observers tend to be put a stamp on credible and legitimate on elections and Nigeria welcomes them to help us strengthen our democratic institutions ahead of 2015 elections.

 Meanwhile, Vice President Namadi Sambo has re-echoed the imperative of peaceful conduct by Nigerians before, during and after the 2015 general elections, even as he predicted over two million votes for President Goodluck Jonathan from Kaduna State. 

   Sambo, while collecting his permanent voter card (PVC) Monday at the INEC Distribution Centre located at the Kaduna North Local Government Secretariat, Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, however, appealed to politicians to play by the rules of the game by avoiding acts that could lead to the breakdown of laws and order. 

  The Vice President, while praying for the peaceful conduct of the general election pledged that the administration was determined to deliver free and fair elections. 

  He said: “I am highly pleased that this morning, I collected my INEC PVC, I will seize this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to have a peaceful election come 2015.”

  Head of Section of the European Union (EU), Mr. Alan Munday said they were in Nigeria to help in the monitoring the forthcoming general elections and to strengthen the democratic process and principles.

   Munday revealed that the objective of the observers is not to criticize election results, stating that it is their objective to give independent reports to the inviting authorities with a view of strengthening their democratic institutions.