The Nigerian presidential election, originally scheduled for Feb. 14, was postponed until this past Saturday because the Independent Nigerian Election Commission (INEC) said there were security concerns over possible Boko Haram attacks and incomplete electoral preparations. Despite the six-week delay, observers reported that many polling stations opened at least an hour late, and election officials reportedly often seemed confused about how to operate the voter card readers installed to provide transparency in the voting process. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond issued a joint statement praising the voting process, but citing “disturbing indications” about the vote counting process.

      “This election was long predicted to be the closest in Nigerian history. Consequently, it is not unusual that vote counting could take more time than anticipated,” Smith said. “However, Nigerians should not allow voting problems and counting delays to ratchet up tensions, resulting in violence such as we saw after the 2011 elections. Both leading presidential candidates have an obligation to follow a peaceful process that promotes a careful review and the handling of any dispute through appropriate appeals procedures in the courts.”    

      In 2011, more than 800 people were killed in post-election violence. Thus far, there has been limited violence, mostly attributed to Boko Haram attacks in northeastern Nigeria and what appears to have been an over-zealous police response to a large demonstration by opposition supporters to the elections in the southern Rivers State – home of President Jonathan.

###