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Nigerian President Deploys Troops Ahead of Senate Election Saturday

   Chinedu Offor | Washington DC  March 31, 2011
   An election banner hangs on a pedestrian bridge in Mushin Neighbourhood
   in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, March 23, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   An election banner hangs on a pedestrian bridge in Mushin Neighborhood
   in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, March 23, 2011

   Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a countrywide
   deployment of troops and other security personnel ahead ofSenate
   elections Saturday.Supporters say the presence ofsecurity officials
   will calm fearsof violenceand boost public confidence, making voters
   feel it's safe to take part. But critics saythe soldiers, who are under
   the direct control of the president, may be used to intimidate the
   opposition.

   The deployment of troops is not ideal, but it is in the national
   interest, said Innocent Chukwuma, executive director of the CLEEN
   Foundation, a voter advocacy group.

   'It has become part of our preparation for elections,' he said.

                                                        Dates of Elections
     * National Assembly Elections
       2/4/2011 ' 17/4/2011
     * Presidential Elections
       9/4/2011 ' 10/4/2011
     * Government/State Assembly Elections
       16/4/2011 ' 17/4/2011
                          Source: Nigeria Independent Electoral Commission

   Because of the violent build-up to the elections in several states,
   Chukwuma said, the government has a duty to deploy troops to protect
   lives and property.

   Given those clashes, he said, there are fears that there might be a
   breakdown of law and violence on Election Day. For that reason, he
   said, it is a 'welcome development and a reassurance from INEC that
   they would not be seen in any polling booth.'

   The opposition argues that since the president controls the security
   forces directly, a display of military muscle might intimidate its
   supporters.

   Chuwkuma disagrees.

   'I think it's a valid fear, but then it should also be understood that
   practically every role player in the electoral process is controlled by
   the federal government,' he said.

   View slide show on Nigeria elections
   

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