NIGERIAN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000708 SIPDIS SIPDIS DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS SUBJECT: NIGERIAN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2 REF: ABUJA 707 ABUJA 00000708 001.4 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY: With a couple of hours to go before the close of polls, confusion continues in the Gubernatorial elections in Nigeria. As of noon, mission, international and domestic observers report that the majority of polling stations have yet to receive materials. As the day wears on, more security incidents are reported and numerous reports of upset voters who are claiming to be disenfranchised. Nevertheless, widespread public oppobrium is not evident at this time, but as the number of infractions climbs, this could change. END SUMMARY. ¶2. With a couple of hours to go before the close of polls, Mission observers report that "a majority of polling stations" in areas where voting has begun remain closed. In almost all cases, the closures are due to a lack of materials or the absence of security officials. In northern Kaduna state, a predominantly Muslim area, Mission observers report very few stations open. In one location, Mission observers report hearing numerous claims that members of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) were allowed to vote early in the day and that the ballot boxes were then removed from the polling station, leaving other voters unable to cast a ballot. The INEC Commissioner in Enugu announced that polling will be extended to 6:00 PM due to the late delivery of ballots. Other states are expected to follow suit. ¶3. Mission observers in Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Enugu, Abia, Ogun, Lagos, and Edo states report similar problems. While some locations have ballot papers, most locations have yet to receive materials as of noon. Mission observers in Nasarawa and Niger states have not reported problems with materials, commenting that most arrive by 10:00. Nevertheless, in all states listed in this paragraph, Mission observers report thugs stealing boxes and people being prevented from voting. It is unclear what relationship the voters registers have to the people allowed to vote, with many locations not confirming names on the list, other locations with two lists and some locations allowing voting with or without a voters identity card. ¶4. A member of the National Assembly reports that in Warri "no voting has commenced as of 12:30." The member also reports a heavy military presence. In spite of this, RSO reports that three trucks of elections materials escorted by military were hijacked and that the military was unable to prevent the incident. In Kaduna, police contacts report a prison escape in the midst of election confusion. No further information is available on this incident. Police sources also report "several police stations in flames" in Bayelsa state. RSO and Mission observers report thugs stealing ballot boxes and materials in Rivers, Gombe and Edo states. Mission observers in Plateau state also report sporadic fighting among partisans of various political parties. ¶5. Nigerian police contacts, Mission observers and independent television reports say that PDP thugs and party agents are ensuring voters cast their ballots for the PDP in Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Rivers, Delta, Anambra and Kaduna states, among others. ¶6. While early to quantify, it seems that locations without voters lists have 600 or more ballots delivered, other polling units with lists are receiving 100 ballots or fewer. One poll worker in Katsina state told Mission observers that "an INEC official" had taken his ballot box away and brought it back with 200 or so ballots inside. ¶7. COMMENT: The logistics of today's polling are now inferior to the 2003 election performance. While large areas of the country are unable to vote, the turnout elsewhere remains moderate at best. Even with an extension of voting hours, it will be difficult to resolve the delivery problems and ensure that even those that find their name on a voters register are able to vote. Further, the spate of violent incidents is increasing, particularly in the South-South (delta) region and the Southeast, the two areas that the EU report in 2003 said did not hold elections at all. END COMMENT. ABUJA 00000708 002.4 OF 002 ¶8. NOTE: Embassy will prepare for separate transmission log sheets from the days reports with a more detailed list of occurences throughout the day. As it is virtually certain that few polling stations will close at the projected 1500 hours, our end-of-polling assessment wil be delayed. CAMPBELL