Eu observers accuse nigerian soldiers of stopping them from monitoring rivers elections
A very timely and important topic!
Yes, it's been reported that EU observers have accused Nigerian soldiers of stopping them from monitoring the Rivers State governorship and state assembly elections held on March 9, 2019.
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) had deployed a team of observers to Nigeria to monitor the elections, which were considered crucial for the country's democratic development. However, the observers reported that they were hindered in their work by the Nigerian military.
According to the EU EOM's Chief Observer, Maria Arena, the observers were stopped by soldiers from accessing polling stations in some areas of Rivers State. She stated that this was a serious concern and undermined the credibility of the electoral process.
The EU EOM had been monitoring the elections in Nigeria since March 1, 2019, and had reported some irregularities and concerns about the conduct of the polls. The observers had also expressed concerns about the role of the military in the elections, citing instances where soldiers were seen at polling stations and intimidating voters.
The Nigerian military had been deployed to the state to maintain law and order during the elections, but the EU EOM's allegations have raised concerns about the military's involvement in the electoral process.
The incident has sparked controversy and debate in Nigeria, with some calling for an investigation into the allegations and others defending the military's actions as necessary to maintain peace and security.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which conducted the elections, has also been criticized for its handling of the polls, including delays in the voting process and allegations of vote-buying.
Overall, the incident highlights the challenges and complexities of holding free and fair elections in Nigeria, and the need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.