The crisis within the PDP was symptomatic of the problems and dissonance in most of the political parties in the crucial period leading up to the election. There was very little in the bearing and internal order within the political parties to indicate that they were seriously organizing to run in or attempt to win the elections.

As can be imaginined, this setting did not in any way enhance the climate and preparations for the elections. Unfortunately, various international organizations and groups, who did not realize the extent of the corrosive nature of the political conflagration in the country and how partisan seemingly neutral groups had become, found themselves assuming partisan positions on the elections.

These groups, along with certain sections of the media, were a main source of the distorted image of the elections and the electoral system that was perceived abroad, as they were still taken to be credible and unbiased sources. In reality, however, they had become participants in a highly charged partisan contest.