ECOWAS Vice President addresses observers in Dakar

ABUJA, Nigeria, March 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh, has expressed confidence in the 100 observers deployed in Senegal for the 25th March 2012 presidential re-run elections.

“I have no doubt that this team will scrupulously carry out its responsibilities in line with

the spirit that guided all of us during the first round”, he said.

Dr. McIntosh who was addressing the observers at a briefing session on 23rd March 2012 in Dakar, Senegal, explained that ECOWAS was back in the country “to observe the whole process and ensure that the run-off is conducted in accordance with the standards contained in the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol”.

While stating that ECOWAS as well as other international observer missions

“acknowledged and declared” that the first round of the presidential poll was generally free, fair and transparent, he reiterated that ECOWAS would help “contribute once again to ensuring that the ongoing electoral process is credible, fair and transparent”, consistent with relevant provisions of the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

He charged the observers to remain focused on preparations for the election observation and adhere strictly to the provisions of the ECOWAS Handbook on Election Observation and adopt a professional disposition throughout the exercise.

Dr. McIntosh disclosed that ECOWAS would also observe the tallying process, adding: “We expect that this will contribute to the credibility of the process and prevent the disputation of results that emanates from the process”.