Nigeria's elections: the morning after

摘要

Nigeria, the world's eighth largest exporter of crude oil and Africa's most populous country, held general elections in April, hoping against hope to break away from a history of flawed votes and political violence. But the orgy of disorder that broke out in the country's northern regions when southern incumbent Goodluck Jonathan was declared the winner marred what was otherwise a historic milestone; the first elections held in the West African country in decades to be declared largely free and fair. The Independent National Electoral Commission, often the butt of Nigeria's previously tainted elections, vowed to organize flawless polls this time around. It said it had put in place tough measures to prevent cheating and intimidation. And when the first in the series of staggered elections took place April 9 for the National Assembly, the electoral commission indeed received commendations.