The Head of the African Union (AU) Observation Mission, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has said Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections were generally peaceful and orderly.

Desalegn observed this while leading a team of observers to some polling units in the FCT and said there were a number of observers in major geographic regions across the country.

The former prime minister said the observation mission was in line with the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance and the charter on Election Observation and Code of Conduct.

”Our observation mission is deployed in major geographic regions in Nigeria and our observation so far is that this election is being conducted in a generally peaceful and orderly manner so far from the reports we are getting.

”There are some areas which need some attention, especially on delay in the time.

”We observed in some of the polling stations (the voting time) was delayed for an hour, 45 minutes but of course it started and we will see, at the end of this election, if all the voters are satisfied and got the chance to elect their candidate.”

The head of mission said the postponement of the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contributed to the process being peaceful, calm and orderly.

He also expressed hope in the ability of INEC to solve the few issues that were identified.

”There was a delay of materials in one polling station called Nyanya and voting did not start and I think it’s one of the hiccups we hope INEC is going to solve expeditiously as possible.”

Desalegn and his team set out at 7.30 a.m. to eight polling units in the FCT.

The team visited PU 009 in Wuse Zone 3 Government Secondary School, and PU 001, Tudun Wada Government Secondary School and PU 026 in Maitama Model Secondary School.

Other units visited were PU 005 Gwarimpa Village, PU 024 Gwarimpa Estate, Gishiri, PU 001 in Junior Secondary School Orozo, PU 014 Jikwoyi Primary School and the polling unit at Area 10 Post Office.

The head of mission was accompanied to Nigeria by a seven-member team including Madam Minata Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs, AU Commissioner who is also the Deputy Head of Mission.

Almost 60 election observers were deployed to different states in the federation.

NAN