John Ameh and Adelani AdepegbaThe joint election observation mission of the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute to Nigeria has said the 2019 general elections fell below the 2015 election standard. The group also noted in its report the exercise failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians, noting that there were delays in some polling units, violence and other administrative challenges during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. The report also stated that the last-minute postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections eroded the electorate’s confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission. IRI President, Daniel Twining, said, “The 2019 general elections fell significantly short of the standard set in 2015. However, the Presidency said on Tuesday that it welcomed the report, but insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari “clearly won” the February 23 presidential election.

Source: Punch June 19, 2019 02:24 UTC