Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
9 March 2007
Abuja — As part of measures to ensure success of the forthcoming elections in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs (SCIA), will present 240,000 observers for the elections.
According to the Vangaurd, a local newspaper, the groups said their action will facilitate a transparent process leading to the emergence of credible leaders in the country and also check the rigging of elections.
Speaking in Abuja, at a joint consultative meeting on credible election 2007 organized by the Alliance for credible elections in Nigeria in collaboration with Christian and Muslim leaders, on Wednesday march 7, 2007, the Secretary General of CAN, Engineer Samuel Salifu, said "the leaders agreed to provide one observer each, for each of the country's 120,000 polling units."
"Both religious groups have resolved to henceforth speak with one voice on election matters under the name "Nigerian Inter-religious Forum for Credible Election", he said adding that a Steering Committee to be chaired by the two secretaries general and some other members was set up.
The forum will also embark on a series of joint actions to underscore its commitment towards ensuring credible elections, including joint press conferences, holding rallies and undertaking fact-finding visits to relevant agencies and stakeholders; while embarking on election monitoring and throwing its moral weight behind statements based on the observations.
In addition, they called on the National Assembly to maintain constant watch over all agencies connected with the elections to ensure that they perform legally and fairly.
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