Nigeria's Jonathan promises fair election

ABUJA, Nigeria, April 15 (UPI) -- The Nigerian government pledges to conduct a fair weekend election, the incumbent Nigerian president said in a get-out-the-vote message.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged voters to make a strong showing at the voting booth for the presidential election Saturday.

"I thank Nigerians for the large turnout during the National Assembly elections held last Saturday and urge them all to turn out en masse during the presidential elections next Saturday, and the subsequent elections, to vote for candidates of their choice," he was quoted by Nigerian newspaper Next as saying.

Jonathan's ruling People's Democratic Party suffered a setback in the election April 9. Results from a partial vote show the party won 59 seats in the 109-member Senate and only 140 seats in the 360-member House of Representatives.

Six candidates for the Nigerian presidential election, however, announced Thursday they were stepping aside to make room for Jonathan.

Jonathan made pledges to the country's election committee that weekend elections would be democratic.

The government "will support the electoral body and security agencies to deliver credible, free and fair elections," he said.

Past elections were plagued by widespread violence and corruption. Jonathan is widely expected to win a second term.