UN chief calls for peaceful electoral process in Nigeria as polls near

On the eve of the Nigerian elections, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed his hope that the electoral process will be transparent, inclusive and peaceful.

In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, Ban called on all Nigerians to "exercise their civic responsibility by going to the polls to vote in large numbers."

Ban welcomed the joint statement signed on Thursday by President Goodluck Jonathan and retired major general Muhammad Buhari, in which they renewed their pledge for peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

"He calls on the candidates and their supporters to resolve disputes that may arise from the electoral process through peaceful means," the statement said.

The two main presidential candidates signed the second peace accord on Thursday in the capital Abuja, to prevent violence by their supporters during and after the polls. They are also committed to respecting the outcome of the elections.

The first peace pact was signed ahead of the polls previously slated for Feb. 14 but rescheduled due to security concerns.

The presidential election, which analysts believed to be the toughest in Nigeria since 1999, will be conducted Saturday.

In the statement, Ban noted that the success of the polls is " the responsibility of all Nigerian actors," -- the electoral authorities, security agencies, political parties, candidates, religious leaders, civil society and voters.

"The Secretary-General hopes that tomorrow's elections will be transparent, inclusive, and peaceful. The relevant national authorities must be accountable to the Nigerian people to ensure that this is the case," said the statement. Endite