Brussels, 09/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - At the request of the Nigerian authorities, the European Union is deploying an election observation mission to monitor the general elections in this country between 2-16 April. MEP Alojz Peterle has been appointed as the chief observer. Peterle is a former prime minister of Slovenia and is visiting Abuja on 9-10 March to formally present his mission to the Nigerian authorities. This mission will consist of 120 observers.
The core team in charge of coordinating the work, beginning with preparation for the elections and ending with the announcement of the results, was set up at the end of February. Fifty-two long-term observers will be helping out as from the middle of this month. They will be joined by 60 short-term observers at the end of the month, just a few days before the general elections (2 April), the presidential elections (9 April) and elections of governors and state national assemblies (16 April).
In a press release published on 9 March, Catherine Ashton, the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy declared: “The upcoming intense elections calendar in Nigeria is important, not only for Nigeria but also for the region. Nigeria, as a major regional and global player, has an opportunity to show leadership in the democratic transformation of the West African region, and beyond” (A.N./transl.fl)