Bernard J. Durkan
Question:182 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up to date position in relation to the situation in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10270/03]
Written Answers. - Parliamentary Elections.
Since my reply to the Deputy on 5 March there have been no major political developments in Nigeria. Presidential, parliamentary and state elections will be held in Nigeria in April and May 2003 and the elections are of particular importance to the future political course of Nigeria.
Our Embassy in Abuja, together with other EU partners, continues to be in close contact with the country's Independent National Election Commission, INEC, to monitor its plans for the organisation of elections, at which an estimated 65 million Nigerians will be eligible to vote. More than 1,000 international election observers are expected to monitor the conduct of the election campaigns as well as the elections themselves. An EU election observation mission is currently under way, in which Ireland will participate.
A successful series of elections is important for Nigeria in terms of deepening and strengthening the democratic process. For these reasons, the forthcoming elections in Nigeria will continue to be monitored closely by Ireland and our EU partners.