PORT HARCOURT – Election observers from the U.S. and UK who monitored the presidential and National Assembly elections in Rivers State said yesterday that they had concerns about the conduct of the election in the state.
Miss Jennifer Lynne, the Executive Director, Contact Project, a U.S.-based organisation, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the observers monitored the election in six Local Government Areas.
She said the observers observed challenges in the area of availability and security of result sheets.
“In addition, as widely reported, we observed severe challenges due to dysfunctional card readers, causing lengthy delays, voter denial and reporting irregularities.”
Lynne said events that took place in the areas visited would lead to questioning the validity of the results from Rivers State.
“We will be making a full report available to INEC as part of the larger observation feedback provided by various organisations around Nigeria.”
The director said the observers were in support of the electorate and democratic process in the country.
“We encourage the leadership, government and security forces to enforce the Peace Accords and allow for Nigeria to be recognised with the international standards of election procedures,” she said.