· Restates position on visa ban on Nigerians undermining democracy
The United States of America on Wednesday said it has full confidence in the capacity of the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver a free, fair and credible 2023 election in Nigeria
This is as the US has restated commitment to implement its earlier position to place some listed Nigerians who have undermined the country’s democracy on visa ban
Speaking at the Stakeholders Dialogue on “Nigeria’s 2023 Election, Fostering Youths action for Stability,” the United States Ambassador o Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, sad the Us has thrown its weight behind INEC’s ability to conduct free, fair and credible polls in February and March.
Leonard spoke in Abuja at the one-day multi-stakeholders dialogue on ‘’Nigeria’s 2023 election: Fostering youth action for peace and stability’’ by National Orientation Agency and building blocks for Peace Foundation.
The stakeholder dialogue was conducted by the National Orientation agency (NOA) and the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation in Abuja
Leonard who noted that election results are not foretold called on candidates to be ready to accepts of either a win or loss as no group or individual should announce any result outside INEC
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“United States has full confidence in INEC’s ability to organise and conduct credible and transparent elections. We saw INEC capabilities on display during the recent political run off and off cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun and we look forward to seeing that success extended nationwide during the February and March general elections,’’ she said.
She noted that the 2022 Electoral Act that was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari has boosted her country’s confidence in the country’s electoral process.
“This key legislation has strengthened Nigeria’s electoral system for example, through the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS for voter accreditation, and the electronic transmission of results. These are proven methods to improve transparency and drastically reduce the potential for vote tampering,” she said.
While noting that the US stands firm with Nigeria’s voters’ demand for transparency and electoral integrity, she reiterated “Individuals who undercut or who undermine the political process, including through intimidation or violence, may be found ineligible for a visa to travel to the United States.
‘’We have chosen in the past to impose US visa restriction on anyone undermining the electoral process.
“We will surely deny or cancel visas for those who truly try to undermine this coming election.
“Our visa record is confidential and we would not be able to announce the identity of those subject to be sanctioned.
“But I can tell you that I am personally aware of people who are travelling to the US who have been or will be blocked on this grouse.”