NIGERIA: ELECTIONS SNAPSHOTS

UNCLAS ABUJA 002917 SIPDIS CORRECTED COPY - CAPTION ADDED SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W SILSKI AND SANNEH, INR/AA NSC FOR CHUDSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ELECTIONS SNAPSHOTS REF: A. ABUJA 2890 ¶B. ABUJA 2842 ¶1. (SBU) In an attempt to convey the local environment in the lead up to 2007 elections, Post plans to submit a series of elections snapshots. More in-depth information and analysis will be reported in septels, with the snapshot format being used to convey interesting and pertinent anecdotes or facts. This cable is the first in this series. Post welcomes any comments or suggestions. VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE UPDATE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Numerous sources have reported problems with the INEC voter registration exercise, including inadequate numbers of electronic registration machines, non-functioning machines, only small numbers of registration stations open (or none at all),untrained staff, insufficient public information and long delays. Voter registration officially started October 25 in all 36 states. -- On October 26, Vanguard and The Guardian reported that Vice President Atiku Abubakar went to Ajiya Ward, Adamawa state to register. According to reports, it took almost 40 minutes and 15 attempts to capture the Vice President's picture for the voter registration card. The Vice President declined to comment on the registration exercise, stating he preferred for Nigerians to go through the process and come to their own conclusions. -- PolOff traveled to Plateau State October 29-31 and met with various individuals, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner, local government officials, party representatives, and a gubernatorial candidate. Interestingly, none of these individuals knew the location of ward registration sites and none had yet registered. -- PolSpecialist attempted (unsuccessfully) to register in his home ward in Sabon Gari Zaria, Kaduna State on November 4-5. He was unable to find a registration site, nor anyone who had seen or heard of a registration site or INEC official in the area since the beginning of the registration exercise. PolSpecialist reports that most people he spoke to believe the registration exercise exists only in the media. PolAssistant also reports that she has not found a registration site in her local ward. -- At a November 6 meeting of local and international NGOs on civil society involvement and voter registration, only one of 
the approximately 40 local NGO employees present reported she had successfully registered. -- PACT Nigeria's local Civil Society Program Coordinator, who has been working on voter education, reports she has been unable to locate her ward registration site. ¶3. (SBU) Politicians across party lines in Kano State have expressed displeasure with the voter registration exercise. A local politician speaking on the BBC Hausa Service maintained registration is being conducted currently in only 6 of the 44 local wards and wondered how it would be possible to complete the registry in time for the December 14 deadline. ¶4. (SBU) Nigerian radio stations are now playing "Register to Vote" public service announcements. The INEC-sponsored commercials encourage Nigerians to "be patriotic" and "register near your home or office in all 36 states and the FCT." No specifics are given regarding how or where to register, but the advertisements do feature a snappy jingle. SEARCHING FOR A FEW GOOD CANDIDATES... -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Governor Donald Duke of Cross Rivers State launched his presidential campaign in Abuja on November 7 at a well-funded event which drew a crowd of approximately 5,000. Duke is seeking the nomination of the PDP. One audience member told PolOff that many attendees were paid 1000 Naira each (8 USD) to attend. ¶6. (SBU) At an October 26 PAS-sponsored press event, National Democratic Institute representatives urged members of the Nigerian press to look beyond personalities and ethnicity in covering candidates and to focus attention on issues that will impact the lives of Nigeria's citizens. NDI characterized Nigeria's political parties as weak and fragile, noting the parties themselves are incapable of educating the public on party platforms. Members of the press present for the briefing were noticeably negative on the possibility of free and fair elections in April. ¶7. (SBU) A senior officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently told PolOff that it would be a "significant accomplishment" if 2007 elections could be 60 percent free and fair. He added that even 15 "good" (meaning not significantly corrupt) governors would be an overwhelming success. ELECTION FACTOIDS -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Women make up the single largest segment of voters in Nigeria. ¶9. (SBU) As of the October 14 application deadline for political party registration, 45 parties have requested registration. UPCOMING DEADLINES -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Presidential and National Assembly Elections -- December 22: Political parties submit list of candidates for President and National Assembly. -- February 10: Last date to withdraw candidate. -- February 20: Deadline to replace withdrawn candidate. -- April 21: Presidential and National Assembly Elections. ¶11. (SBU) Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections -- December 15: Political parties submit list of candidates for Governors and State Assemblies. -- February 3: Last date to withdraw candidate. -- February 13: Deadline to replace withdrawn candidate. -- April 14: Gubernatorial and State House Assembly Elections. CAMPBELL