Nigeria: Opposition ballot analysis request denied

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria's presidential election petition tribunal on Wednesday rejected the main opposition’s request for a forensic analysis of the ballot papers used in the Feb. 23 presidential polls.

But the panel granted the People's Democratic Party (PDP) leave to inspect the ballot papers and materials used for the election ahead of the proper filing of its case.

Justice Abdul Aboki, head of the three-man panel, said the request to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and examine the materials is not in line with the country's electoral law.

The PDP has rejected the outcome of the ballot, which it insisted did not reflect the wishes of the voters.

But local and foreign observers have said the outcome was largely credible except for the pockets of violence that attended the exercise in some states.

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigeria's presidential election petition tribunal on Wednesday rejected the main opposition’s request for a forensic analysis of the ballot papers used in the Feb. 23 presidential polls.

But the panel granted the People's Democratic Party (PDP) leave to inspect the ballot papers and materials used for the election ahead of the proper filing of its case.

Justice Abdul Aboki, head of the three-man panel, said the request to call experts to engage in forensic analysis and examine the materials is not in line with the country's electoral law.

The PDP has rejected the outcome of the ballot, which it insisted did not reflect the wishes of the voters.

But local and foreign observers have said the outcome was largely credible except for the pockets of violence that attended the exercise in some states.