US groups warn of security threats in the 2019 elections in Nigeria



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The widespread violence in Nigeria could affect the presidential election next year, two pro-democracy American groups said on Friday:

The voters of the nation's most populous nation Africa will go to the polls next February, President Muhammadu Buhari


The 75-year-old former military leader in 2015 became the first candidate of the opposition to defeat a president in office in the polls. History of the country.

But despite his promise to defeat Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed at least 20,000 in the past nine years, violence persists and erupted elsewhere

The National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, which conducted a joint visit to Nigeria, said: "Nigeria faces security challenges from a number of non-state actors who, They are not controlled, could disrupt the electoral process, "said NDI and IRI during a presidential election.

In addition to the Boko Haram attacks, the resurgence of violence in the long conflict between cattle farmers and farmers in the central states has left 1,000 dead this year.

Trade in illegal weapons, the apparent inability of security They add: "If they are not corrected, these security threats could erode confidence in the government," they added.

Displaced people in the northeastern and central states could pose "specific challenges for the conduct of elections in the affected areas," they added.

Similar fears about violence and its potential effects on planning, holding and participation in elections. conflict was seen before the last vote.

The vote was postponed for six weeks to allow the army more time to secure areas controlled by Boko Haram, whose leader Abubakar Shekau had The vote finally took place, with polling stations set up at proximity to IDP camps, although participation rate has decreased

NDI-IRI commended Nigeria for introducing measures against electoral fraud, including: biometric identity cards and electronic readers, as well as increased control of civil society.

Efforts to involve young people in politics, through new legislation aimed at lowering the age of political candidates, were welcomed

. increase the number of women involved in politics while "the over-personalization of politics and the role of money in elections" was a concern.

The July 14 poll will elect a new governor in the state of Ekiti. For example, was pursued by claims of vote buying by the two main parties as well as hard rhetoric.

"The purchase of votes is an electoral offense, it also undermines the legitimacy of elections and weakens representative democracy," said NDI-IRI

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