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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General welcomes Nigerian State Assembly and Governorship Elections as another step towards democracy

11 January 1999

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku said today he regarded the 9 January elections for State Assemblies and Governorships in Nigeria as another important step in Nigeria's transition to democracy.

After receiving a report from the 17-member Commonwealth Secretariat led by Mr K Srinivasan, Deputy Secretary-General (Political), which was present during these elections, Chief Anyaoku expressed satisfaction that many technical and logistical problems experienced during last month's local government council elections had been addressed and said that the poll had been on the whole orderly and successfully organised. This augured well for the forthcoming National Assembly and Presidential elections scheduled for February 1999.

He congratulated the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), his colleagues and staff, and reaffirmed the Commonwealth's willingness to continue its technical assistance to INEC. Chief Anyaoku reiterated his intention to send a high-level Commonwealth Observer Group for next month's elections and announced that it would be chaired by former President Sir Ketumile Masire of Botswana.

"Nigeria is well on course in the programme of transition to democracy and civilian rule," said Chief Anyaoku. "I believe that the elections will get progressively more efficient next month."

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int