Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA3180
2006-12-12 16:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: VOTER REGISTRATION IN KWARA STATE

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PHUM NI ELECTIONS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 121624Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8039
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHCD/AMCONSUL CIUDAD JUAREZ 0006
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 5722
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 003180 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: VOTER REGISTRATION IN KWARA STATE

REF: ABUJA 3153

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 003180

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: VOTER REGISTRATION IN KWARA STATE

REF: ABUJA 3153

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


1. (SBU) Poloff visited Kwara State and met with INEC
Resident Electoral Commissioner Ayo Adakeji on November 28 to
discuss elections preparations in the state. Adakeji
reported 59 voter registration machines (up from 44 as of
November 26) to cover the 1,872 registration centers in the
state, with each machine rotating on a four-day schedule. He
indicated he expected to receive more than 400 machines
before the exercise is completed and polling can take place.
He reported technical problems with some of the machines,
though he maintained repairs are done in Abuja in 1-2 days
and the machines returned to the field.


2. (SBU) Adakeji reported only 60,463 people registered in
Kwara State as of November 26, though more than 1.03 million
voters were registered in Kwara in 2003. He told Poloff he
expected an extension of voter registration to February,
though he told Poloff he had not heard anything from INEC
headquarters and was basing this assumption on news reports.
(Note: The extension was announced shortly after Poloff's
meeting.) Adakeji reported that the Kwara State INEC uses
radio and television programming to inform the public of
rotating registration machines. Adakeji told Poloff that the
State INEC is not at present making plans nor conducting
training in preparation for the April elections. Rather,
they will begin to prepare for elections after registration
is complete.


3. (C) COMMENT: A couple of observations from the visit:
-- Although Adakeji maintained that registration machines
would rotate every 4 days to achieve the necessary coverage,
Post notes that even with all 59 machines in working order
each would have to cover 31 polling stations. At four days
each it would take no less than 124 work days or more than
five months to cover all 1,872 polling stations.

-- There were no computers in the offices visited by Poloff
(including Adakeji's office, the office of Adakeji's
Administrative Secretary and the receptionist -- by
appearances about a third of the building). Remarkably,
Adakeji claims he and his Administrative Secretary often do
repairs on the voter registration computers to avoid the
delay of sending them to Abuja.

-- The facilities and equipment at the State INEC office were
in poor condition. Adakeji's receptionist told Poloff their
landline phones have not worked for several months and they
rely on cellular phones. Poloff observed several INEC
vehicles at the State Headquarters: six pickup trucks with
cabs (two on blocks with no tires),eight trucks (four on
blocks without tires) and one four-wheel drive vehicle.

-- Adakeji was guarded and suspicious of U.S. interest in the
registration process. It took a letter from INEC Headquarters
in Abuja, numerous phone calls and finally a personal visit
to speak to his Administrative Secretary for him to finally
agree to meet.


4. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED. Poloff's findings are in line with
what we have observed in Abuja as well as Enugu (reftel). It
is clear that registration in Kwara State cannot be
accomplished under the present conditions even by the
extended February 14 deadline. Adakeji's expectation of more
than 400 machines is a pipe dream and Post believes he is
aware of the fatal flaws to the INEC plan, hence his
weariness to meet. END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL