ASSESSMENT TEAM CONCLUDES ELECTION PREPARATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001243

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM NI
SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT TEAM CONCLUDES ELECTION PREPARATION
NEEDS A MAJOR BOOST


Classified By: Political Counselor Russ Hanks for reason 1.4 (b) and (d
)


1. (U) SUMMARY: The National Democratic Institute delivered
what its president called a wake-up call about election
administrations deficiencies in it final report issued at the
conclusion of its international pre-election assessment
mission completed on May 10. The report highlighted progress
in some categories of pre-electoral preparation, but noted
that critical work must be done immediately in order to
ensure credible elections in 2007. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) At a major press conference attended by more than 70
Nigerian journalists, NDI presented the final report compiled
by a international pre-election assessment delegation made up
of Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of Botswana; Joe
Clark, former Prime Minister of Canada; Karl Offmann, former
President of Mauritius, Hage Geingob, former Namibian Prime
Minister, Raila Odinga; member of the Kenyan parliament,
Martin Luther King III, U.S. Human Rights Activist, and Ken
Wollack, President of NDI. The message delivered to the press
was that significant challenges to holding credible elections
remain and that "concerted, forceful and sustained efforts"
are required to ensure the necessary preparations.


3. (U) In answering a question at the press conference about
the delegations view on the third term, the NDI president Ken
Wallack noted that the political context greatly affects the
electoral environment, and that in Nigeria discussion of the
third term issue obscured detailed examination of the details
of the administrative and technical preparations for the 2007
elections. Former Botswana President Masire emphasized the
stakes involved by saying a failed election process in
Nigeria could negatively affect all of Africa.


4. (C) In a private meeting with the AMB, the NDI president
noted that many of those with whom the delegation met
expressed a lack of confidence in INEC's independence, and
its credibility. He also noted that he has encountered two
types of election administrators; one who centralizes the
process and says all must come through the director and a
second type who seeks to give stakeholders a sense of
ownership over the process. The second type usually has
better luck in building credibility and confidence in the
individual running the operation and the general electoral
process. He described INEC chairman Iwu as the classic type
one, whose strong-man approach was destined to fail.


5. (U) The NDI delegation met with the INEC chairman, whom
they characterized as "defensive" about the lack of
preparation for the 2007 elections, the lack of a capital
budget and the delay in passing the electoral bill.
President Obasanjo was more forthcoming in his joint meeting
with the NDI delegation, also attended by Iwu. President
Obasanjo admitted problems with preparation, and thanked NDI
for coming early enough in the process to offer practical
advice.


6. (U) Chief among the recommendations were for INEC to
issue an election calendar complete with deadlines for
registration, nominations, etc., and begin voter's
registration and a public education campaign on the new
voter's registration process and cards. NDI also called for
INEC to recruit unbiased election officials, ensure the
National Assembly exercises appropriate legislative oversight
over the implementation of the electoral bill after it is
passed, outline in conjunction with security officials a plan
to enhance elections security, and initiate an expedited
process to adjudicate election complaints.


7. (C) Comment: NDI's pre-electoral assessment provides an
insightful and timely wake-up call for those watching and
organizing elections in Nigeria. The report notes technical
and political issues which if left unattended, could be
problematic. Implicit in NDI's message was that for the
elections in Nigeria in 2007 to be credible, INEC and the
Nigerian government must clearly demonstrate the necessary
political will, as a necessary first step, in making credible
elections possible.
CAMPBELL