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Biden calls for peaceful, transparent election in Nigeria

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U.S. President Joe Biden has on Thursday called for Nigeria’s imminent presidential election to be peaceful and transparent, urging candidates and parties to accept the results as announced by the country’s electoral commission.

The U.S. president also urged candidates and parties to accept the results as announced by the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

More than 93 million Nigerians, out of a total population of over 200 million, are registered to vote in Saturday’s presidential and parliamentary election, seen as the most wide open since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

“I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria,” Biden said in a statement, referring to a pledge signed by all candidates on Wednesday to seek redress through the courts for any grievances.

“By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and to support a peaceful transition of power,” he said.

Nigeria has a long history of electoral fraud and violence, though its elections have got gradually cleaner in the near quarter century since it moved away from army rule. INEC says it has taken measures to ensure voting will be free and fair.

“All Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future — freely and fairly,” Biden said.

“While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.”

Nigerians are set on Saturday to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections that are seen as the most wide-open since Africa’s most populous nation switched from military rule to democracy in 1999 and 18 candidates are vying to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

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