Mr. Thomas Mattig, Resident Representative, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Nigeria coordination on electoral assistance will get even better, and representatives of the media, who also have a very important role to play in elections. The more people participate in the polls and protect their votes, the easier it will be to fight corruption and underdevelopment, so Nigeria can finally actualize its enormous potentials and play its deserved leadership role in and beyond Africa. I wish us all a successful workshop. Thank you very much. xvi ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING OPENING REMARKS OF DEPUTY HEAD OF MISSION, EMBASSY OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY TO NIGERIA Mr. Klemens Mömkes Protocols There can be elections without democracy but there cannot be democracy without elections. And these elections must be free and fair and they must be secure. Elections are at the core of the democratic process; and to cast their vote is the supreme sovereign right of every citizen. They must be able to do this free from pressure, free from inappropriate influence and free from fear. It is the duty of our Governments on all levels to generate these fundamental rights, to guarantee the conditions for free and fair elections, as it is the duty of our Governments to provide for freedom, security and peaceful life of all our citizens. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very grateful to the Friedrich­Ebert-Stiftung and I congratulate her for taking up this matter of utmost importance, since it goes right to the heart of our democracy. In many countries all over the world democracy is in progress. Things have improved, so they have in Nigeria, and they will improve further. This is not at least thanks to the initiative, dedication and perseverance of institutions like the ELECTION SECURITY IN NIGERIA: MATTERS ARISING xvii