US and UK warn of political interference in Nigeria's election
US John Kerry and UK Philip Hammond warn that the votes assembling could have been subject of political meddling
On Saturday Africa's largest nation celebrated its presidential elections, six weeks later than planned.
The delay was the result of the country's efforts to combat and contain insurgent Islamist Group Boko Haram, in a bid to ensure security during the elections.
Even then voting hours had to be extended on Sunday as 300 polling stations encountered problems with the voters' identification systems.
Current PM Goodluck Jonathan and opposition leader Muhammadu Buhari were the main contenders for the presidential chair in Africa's biggest oil producer.
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US Secretary of State John Kerry and UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond released a joint statement on Monday, confirming both of them saw no evidence of “systemic manipulation” of the election process.
There are disturbing indications that the collation process may be subject to deliberate political interference
Nevertheless, “there are disturbing indications that the collation process —where the votes are finally counted — may be subject to deliberate political interference.“
Hammond and Kerry warned that would contravene the Abuja Accord signed by the presidential candidates with the aim of avoiding violence in the country regardless of the outcome of voting.
“The Governments of the United States and the United Kingdom would be very concerned by any attempts to undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission (INEC) or its Chairman, Prof. Jega; or in any way distort the expressed will of the Nigerian people”, the statement added.
Independent voting data collected in Rivers, a Nigerian oil-producing state, shows that “voter turnout is once again being grossly inflated in some areas”, the FT said.
Although the final tally of votes was expected on Tuesday, advisers to both parties have been claiming they are on course for victory since voting ended on Sunday. With votes from only six of 36 states uncounted, Buhari would have received 2.5m more votes than the incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, according to Reuters.