Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ABUJA758
2007-04-21 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000758
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2
REF: ABUJA 757
ABUJA 00000758 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000758
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2
REF: ABUJA 757
ABUJA 00000758 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) SUMMARY: The balloting in Nigeria's Presidential
and National Assembly elections is generally underway as of
1430 local time. Many stations report ballots cast, but
others have yet to commence. There continue to be no serious
security incidents reported, but more sporadic and isolated
incidents have occurred. Ballot paper errors have forced the
postponement of some national assembly elections in at least
eight states, with expectations that those elections will
occur on April 26. As with last week, reports of stolen
ballots, ballot boxes and political influence at the polling
sites have been received from throughout the country. END
SUMMARY.
LOGISTICS
--------------
2. (U) The balloting in Nigeria's Presidential and National
Assembly elections is generally underway as of 1430 local
time. Many stations report ballots cast, but others still
report only prospects for voting later in the day. There is
much confusion throughout the country about the hours for the
polls. Some local INEC officials say that polls will close
at 1700, others promise that voters will have seven hours
from the time polls open. Mission observers report
throughout the country that the number of presidential
ballots delivered to the various polling sites thus far
average less than half of the number of voters registered at
each site. But the light turnout mitigates any potential
problem of ballot shortage. Mission observers report about
30 percent of registered voters in many places throughout the
North are lined up and and getting frustrated with the wait.
Mission observes in the Southeast and Southwest report very
light turnout, in some cases estimated at about 20 percent.
In most of the Niger Delta region, more polling stations are
open, but estimates by local observers are that only about
ten percent of the voters came out. One NGO report says that
there is no polling in rural areas of Rivers state,
particularly in Ogoni land.
SECURITY
--------------
3. (U) There continue to be no serious security incidents
reported anywhere in the country, but we continue to receive
reports of some sporadic and isolated incidents. Reports
indicate that another INEC office has been destroyed in Dutse
(Jigawa state) over non-supply or shortages of materials. A
group of about 200 angry voters in Kaduna became violent,
forcing RSO vehicles to exit the area. Mission observers
have reported no further instances of harassment but some
have been forced to return temporarily to their hotels while
crowds are dispersed. Gunfire has been reported in Port
Harcourt, Rivers state, and one Embassy contact claims that
"militants" are infiltrating the city.
INEC STORIES
--------------
4. (U) Mission observers report that errors on the ballot
papers have forced the postponement of some National Assembly
elections in Ogun, Niger, Abia, Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Rivers,
and Delta. (Updated list of states from sitrep 1.) In most
cases, the reason was omission of candidates from the ballot.
INEC has not officially announced a date for these
by-elections, but most local officials say the poll will be
conducted on Thursday, April 26.
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
--------------
5. (U) Mission observers reports isolated instances of what
appears to be one or another of the parties influencing the
balloting in that polling unit. We continue to receive
reports of the snatching of ballots and ballot boxes
throughout the country, similar to the election last week.
COMMENT
--------------
ABUJA 00000758 002.2 OF 002
6. (U) Thus far, the mood throughout the country is one of
apathy. With voters turnout much lower than last week,
tension today is not as high. With many polling stations
opening four hours later than the 1000 start time, as opposed
to the two hour wait last week, resignation appears to be the
order of the day.
7. (U) This message incorporates information from both
Embassy and Consulate Lagos.
CAMPBELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DOE FOR CAROLYN GAY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM NI ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - SITREP 2
REF: ABUJA 757
ABUJA 00000758 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) SUMMARY: The balloting in Nigeria's Presidential
and National Assembly elections is generally underway as of
1430 local time. Many stations report ballots cast, but
others have yet to commence. There continue to be no serious
security incidents reported, but more sporadic and isolated
incidents have occurred. Ballot paper errors have forced the
postponement of some national assembly elections in at least
eight states, with expectations that those elections will
occur on April 26. As with last week, reports of stolen
ballots, ballot boxes and political influence at the polling
sites have been received from throughout the country. END
SUMMARY.
LOGISTICS
--------------
2. (U) The balloting in Nigeria's Presidential and National
Assembly elections is generally underway as of 1430 local
time. Many stations report ballots cast, but others still
report only prospects for voting later in the day. There is
much confusion throughout the country about the hours for the
polls. Some local INEC officials say that polls will close
at 1700, others promise that voters will have seven hours
from the time polls open. Mission observers report
throughout the country that the number of presidential
ballots delivered to the various polling sites thus far
average less than half of the number of voters registered at
each site. But the light turnout mitigates any potential
problem of ballot shortage. Mission observers report about
30 percent of registered voters in many places throughout the
North are lined up and and getting frustrated with the wait.
Mission observes in the Southeast and Southwest report very
light turnout, in some cases estimated at about 20 percent.
In most of the Niger Delta region, more polling stations are
open, but estimates by local observers are that only about
ten percent of the voters came out. One NGO report says that
there is no polling in rural areas of Rivers state,
particularly in Ogoni land.
SECURITY
--------------
3. (U) There continue to be no serious security incidents
reported anywhere in the country, but we continue to receive
reports of some sporadic and isolated incidents. Reports
indicate that another INEC office has been destroyed in Dutse
(Jigawa state) over non-supply or shortages of materials. A
group of about 200 angry voters in Kaduna became violent,
forcing RSO vehicles to exit the area. Mission observers
have reported no further instances of harassment but some
have been forced to return temporarily to their hotels while
crowds are dispersed. Gunfire has been reported in Port
Harcourt, Rivers state, and one Embassy contact claims that
"militants" are infiltrating the city.
INEC STORIES
--------------
4. (U) Mission observers report that errors on the ballot
papers have forced the postponement of some National Assembly
elections in Ogun, Niger, Abia, Lagos, Oyo, Kaduna, Rivers,
and Delta. (Updated list of states from sitrep 1.) In most
cases, the reason was omission of candidates from the ballot.
INEC has not officially announced a date for these
by-elections, but most local officials say the poll will be
conducted on Thursday, April 26.
POLITICAL INFLUENCE
--------------
5. (U) Mission observers reports isolated instances of what
appears to be one or another of the parties influencing the
balloting in that polling unit. We continue to receive
reports of the snatching of ballots and ballot boxes
throughout the country, similar to the election last week.
COMMENT
--------------
ABUJA 00000758 002.2 OF 002
6. (U) Thus far, the mood throughout the country is one of
apathy. With voters turnout much lower than last week,
tension today is not as high. With many polling stations
opening four hours later than the 1000 start time, as opposed
to the two hour wait last week, resignation appears to be the
order of the day.
7. (U) This message incorporates information from both
Embassy and Consulate Lagos.
CAMPBELL