Canada has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission to guarantee credible elections, even as it expressed concern over the postponement of the general elections.
INEC had on Saturday shifted the general elections from February 14 and 28 toMarch 28 and April 11, citing unfavourable security report.
In a statement issued on Monday by Deepak Obhrai, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, he said: “Canada is concerned that Nigeria’s general elections have been postponed.”
The statement, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, said further: “The people of Nigeria must be allowed to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives through free, fair, peaceful and credible elections.
“All institutions of state as well as political parties and candidates, must uphold democratic values.”
The statement urged the nation’s security agencies to be impartial in providing security during and after elections.
It also advised INEC and security operatives to provide journalists unrestrained access to reports during the election process.
It added: “It is particularly important that security agencies provide security for elections in an impartial manner.
“It is also important that journalists are allowed unfettered access in reporting on the election process.”