European Union (EU) has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections scheduled to kick-off February 25 and March 11, next month across the country.
According to the EU, the move is in response of the invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Mission has Mr. Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer for the EOM to Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the EU has previously deployed Election Observation Missions to Nigeria for six times now including; the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections.
For the 2023 polls, Mr Andrews has been appointed to lead the Mission by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell.
Remarking, Borrell described the 2023 polls in Nigeria as ‘crucial for the consolidation of democracy,’ even as noted that the political event will be ‘competitive.’
“These elections will be crucial for the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, and for the stability of the region. This is the sixth time that the EU deploys an election observation mission to Nigeria, reflecting our commitment to work together to consolidate democracy in the country.
“The elections are set to be competitive and will take place in a challenging security context. It is our hope that Nigerians will be able to cast their vote in a peaceful environment and that any challenges or disputes will be solved through dialogue or through available legal remedies,” Borrell said.
On his part, Andrews expressed pleasure at being ‘entrusted with the responsibility for leading this EU Election Observation Mission,’ stressing further that the exercise is ‘important to the future of democracy in West Africa and the continent at large.’
“I am very pleased to have been entrusted with the responsibility for leading this EU Election Observation Mission. The mission is taking place during a period of time when democracy around the globe is in decline.
The forthcoming General Elections are therefore not only a key moment in Nigeria’s democratic development but also important to the future of democracy in West Africa and the continent at large. I am looking forward to meeting with electoral stakeholders that are playing important roles in the ongoing electoral process,” said Andrews.
The EU EOM is expected to provide a comprehensive, independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process based on international and regional standards for democratic elections.
The Core Team of the EU EOM consists of 11 election experts who will arrive in Abuja during the first half of January.
Towards the end of January, 40 long-term observers will join the mission to be deployed across the country and follow the electoral campaign. Thereafter, short-term observers from the EU diplomatic community as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland will reinforce the mission during election day. Also, the team is expected to remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.
In line with the EU election observation methodology, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Abuja after the election day.
The final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented after the finalisation of the entire electoral process.