The United States on Tuesday stressed the importance of voter information by the Nigerian media ahead of the election.
“I think it is very important that everyone involved in the media play a role in educating the public about this issue and what it could mean,” said the assistant secretary of state for African Affairs Molly Phee told reporters in Abuja.
Referring to the provisions of section 134 of the Nigerian Constitution, he said that if voters understand and have confidence in the electoral process, it will contribute to a peaceful transition of power.
Section 134 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 states that “a candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected when, there being more than two candidates for the election: (a) he has the highest number of votes cast in the election; and (b) has not less than one quarter of the votes cast in the election of at least two thirds of all the states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.
In the event that the above criteria are not met, there will be a second election between only the candidate who obtained the greatest number of votes and another candidate who has the majority of votes in the greatest number of states.
However, if there is more than one candidate with the most votes in the greatest number of states, the candidate among them with the highest total votes cast in the election shall be the second-ranked candidate for election.
There are 14 candidates running in Nigeria’s February 25 presidential election with four candidates considered front-runners. The four frontline candidates are APC’s Bola Tinubu, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, Labor’s Peter Obi and NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Ms Phee praised the constitutional provision, but said she “is not sure that this single requirement is not understood by the public as it should and it will be particularly relevant if, for the first time in its political history, it goes to a second.” round.”
Despite this concern, he noted that the US believes that INEC is prepared and capable of organizing and conducting elections throughout the country.
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Ms. Phee added that it is important that candidates, parties and voters take responsibility for having a successful election.
“You have a good story since 1999 where with each election you get stronger and your system improves. I hear desire and hunger for a successful election, I am confident that that challenge can be met,” she said.