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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
February 22, 1999

Initial Reports Indicate
Successful National Assembly Elections in Nigeria

We congratulate the Nigerian people on the peaceful conduct of Saturday's national legislative elections, the third of four polls scheduled in the transition to civilian rule. Preliminary totals make it clear that all three parties will be represented in the national assembly when it is convened after inauguration of a civilian president on May 29.

Embassy observers noted very low turnouts in many areas, as well as instances of voting and counting irregularities in some parts of the country We hope these incidents will not be repeated in next week's presidential elections.

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