AU, ECOWAS observers tasks INEC on credibility

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The African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observation Missions have tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on credible conclusions of the electoral process.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Leader of the AU delegation and Former President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone, Leader of the ECOWAS delegation, made the call on Monday in Abuja during a preliminary briefing on the elections.

They also urged Nigerians to remain calm until announcement of the final result from INEC, cautioning against disinformation and fake news especially on social media platforms that would incite post-election violence.

Responding to questions from journalists, Koroma said that the AU and EU Observation Missions is urging INEC to improve on its communication to avoid any form of speculations, disinformation and fake news.

“All we can do at this stage as we have done in the preliminary report is urge INEC to, where possible, improve on communication with the public and members of political parties.

“Improve on the counting and collation methods and review the uploading, because these were all systems that INEC promised to rule out without any difficulties.

“And as observers, we cannot make conclusive statements but will continue to urge INEC because there is a lot of anxiety out there, people are anxiously waiting.

“And the more we delay, the more we give room to speculations, misinformation and disinformation. So we are concerned about this.

“We will continue our engagements with INEC and other stakeholders to ensure that what has started as a relatively peaceful process will continue and end up in a manner that is acceptable to every one of us, including the Nigerian populace,” Koroma said.

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