Nigeria election tribunal orders electoral commission to produce paper ballots News
Nigeria election tribunal orders electoral commission to produce paper ballots

[JURIST] Nigeria's Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal ruled Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) [official website] must provide "certified true copies" of ballots from Nigeria's contested April 21 presidential elections to embattled candidate and current Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar [official website; JURIST news archive]. The ruling, which stems from petitions filed by several candidates, also required the INEC to provide Abubakar a list of all officials and staff employed for the elections. Lawyers representing INEC did not object to the ruling.

In April, the INEC declared the winner of the country's presidential elections [JURIST report] to be the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Umaru Yar'Adua [BBC profile]. European Union and NGO observers, however, echoed Nigerian opposition leaders in their sharp criticism of the poll [JURIST report]. Allegations of fraud include multiple voting, stuffing and missing ballot boxes, as well as violence at the polls have marred the elections, which are intended to mark the first civilian government transition in Africa's most populous country. The New York Times has more. The Daily Champion has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.