The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria, yesterday, described the poll misconduct in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states as “very severe,” asking for an investigation into the whole scenario.

The EU observers, who commended all the stakeholders in the country for the continued commitment to the electoral process, urged aggrieved candidates and political parties in the April 11 elections to seek redress in court.

The EU EOM Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas, made the remarks at a press briefing on the preliminary statement of the team on the April 11 polls.

“On 11 April, security incidence and violence were reported from across the country; predominantly, it involved inter-party clashes, an attack on election site by hoodlums often involving ballot boxes and election materials snatching.

“Credible reports show that problems were very severe in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. These warrant further investigation,” Fisas said.

According to him, this involved multiple credible reports of violence and death rate.

He stated that the number of polling sites at which the electoral process could not be completed for security reason was not yet clear to the team, adding that it was important that results were not declared in polling units where irregularities occurred.

“I called on all stakeholders, voters, candidates, and more particularly, the political parties, to continue to maintain a peaceful response to the outcomes of the polls and to make any grievances through official channel,” he said.

The chief observer, who described the election-related killings as regrettable, stressed that loss of lives is unacceptable in election conduct.

“It is very regrettable that so many people lost their lives during the elections. Election must be violent-free; that loss of lives is not acceptable. Citizens should be able to express their political will freely without fear for their lives.

“My full condolences go to families and friends of those who have been killed during this election process; also to the family of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, who perished with his family in the tragic fire,” he said.

Fisas said though the turnout of voters was not encouraging, “EU EOM observers saw no evidence of centralised systematic fraud, although some attempts at manipulation were observed.”

•Adapted from Newswatch Times. Photo shows election officials.