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UN chief calls for credible, free elections in Nigeria

Xinhua, February 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Sunday called for efforts to ensure "a credible, free and transparent election" in Nigeria.

The UN chief made the appeal in a statement issued by his spokesman in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where Ban is paying a visit.

Ban "urges the electoral authorities to take all necessary measures, such as the rapid distribution of the remaining Permanent Voter Cards, to enable all eligible citizens, including those displaced, to exercise their right to vote in a timely manner," said the statement.

"This is imperative for ensuring a credible, free and transparent election," it said.

On Saturday, Nigeria announced to postpone the general elections scheduled for Feb. 14 to March 28, citing security reasons.

The secretary-general spoke by phone to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday.

The statement said the UN chief encouraged both President Jonathan and opposition candidate Buhari to respect the Abuja Accord they willingly adopted and which commits them to non- violence, peace and tolerance during the elections.

"He looks to Nigeria's authorities to uphold their commitment to ensure a violence-free election and put in place adequate security measures so that citizens across the country are able to exercise their civic duty safely and without fear," the statement said.

"The secretary-general hopes that the forthcoming elections will meet the high expectations of the Nigerian people and the international community," said the statement. "The successful conduct of these polls would strengthen Nigeria's democracy and enable the country to continue to play a leading role in the promotion of regional peace and security."

The West African country's electoral chief Attahiru Jega said Saturday the presidential and national assembly elections are postponed to March 28, and the governorship and state congress elections to April 11. These elections were previously slated for Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 respectively. Endite