Presidential poll: ECOWAS chief observer laud use of NYSC members

Posted by admin Elections 2011 Saturday, April 16th, 2011

The ECOWAS Chief Observer, Prof. Amos Sawyer, has commended the use of NYSC members as officials in the current general elections.

Sawyer, in Abuja on Saturday, said that the corps members had displayed a commendable high level of patriotism in handling the national assignment.

“I think they have displayed a high level of patriotism in the handling of this national assignment,” he said.

He also praised the Nigerian media for its performance in the elections so far.

“The media also deserve commendation for its accurate reporting so far,” the ECOWAS chief observer said.

Meanwhile, a cross-section of voters in the presidential election in Abuja on Saturday expressed satisfaction with the electoral process.

Some of the voters at polling centre number 006, located at the LEA Primary School in Kado Estate of the Gwarinpa District, expressed their satisfaction.

They said they were impressed with both the voter turnout and the arrangements made by INEC, adding that they both helped to ensure a peaceful election.

“If all elections will be like this, Nigeria will be a better place. The whole exercise has been quiet, smooth, calm and orderly.

“We have seen some changes, we have seen fairness,” Mrs Hadiza Babagana, one of the voters, said.

Another voter, who also commented, Mr Gaza Jonathan, described the turnout as very impressive. .

He said that the degree of patriotism exhibited by the voters showed the direction to which Nigeria was moving.

Jonathan also commended the non-partisan atmosphere, which prevailed in the area.

While applauding INEC for the vision of involving NYSC members in the electoral process, he suggested that they should be used for future elections in the country.

Jonathan also hailed the NYSC members for doing their job well.

Mr Nnamdi Asomugha, another voter, also commended INEC for putting in place peaceful accreditation and voting processes.

He said that the polling officers were on top of their duties, saying “the polling officers acquitted themselves properly in the line of their duties.

“None of them was in doubt as to what he or she was expected to do.”

Asomugha also noted that security was adequate and there were no issues requiring the attention of the security operatives in spite of their presence.

He said that the fact that voters came to the centre in their private cars underscored the peaceful atmosphere in the area, adding that there was no issue of anybody being disenfranchised.

Also speaking, Mr Chukwudi Vincent, a PDP agent said, “I am proud to be a Nigerian with this.

“We are growing as a nation, and with this we will get to the promised land.”

Ms Amarachi Amagba, the Presiding Officer at the LEA Primary School polling centre, described the presidential election’s conduct as wonderful.

She said that there were no hitches and that everything was orderly.

According to her, 2,152 people were registered in the centre while 1,224 were accredited for voting.

Mr John Esim, the Police Inspector in charge of the centre, confirmed that there were no incidents or complaints and that the area was calm. (NAN)

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