In response to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s request, the European Union (EU) has decided to send an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to observe the general elections on 25 February and 11 March 2023.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, Josep Borrell, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has appointed Member of the European Parliament Barry Andrews as Chief Observer for the EOM to Nigeria. Borrell recalled that the EU had previously sent Election Observation Missions to Nigeria for the elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019.
According to the statement, Josep Borrell, vice president and high representative, said: The stability of the region and the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria will depend on these elections. This is the sixth time that an election observation mission from the EU has been sent to Nigeria, demonstrating our commitment to collaborating to strengthen democracy there. The elections will take place in a difficult security environment and are expected to be competitive. Our hope is that Nigerians will be able to vote in a peaceful manner and that any issues or disagreements will be resolved through dialogue or the use of the available legal remedies.
Barry Andrews, the Chief Observer, declared: It gives me great pleasure to have been given charge of leading this EU Election Observation Mission. The mission takes place at a time when democracy is falling apart around the world. As a result, the upcoming General Elections are significant not only for the development of democracy in Nigeria but also for the future of democracy in West Africa and the continent as a whole. I am looking forward to meeting with stakeholders in the electoral process who are important to the ongoing process.
Based on international and regional democratic election standards, the EU EOM will provide a comprehensive, independent, and impartial evaluation of the electoral process, according to the statement.
11 election specialists from the EU EOM’s Core Team will arrive in Abuja in the first half of January. 40 long-term observers will join the mission toward the end of January to follow the election campaign across the country. The mission will then be bolstered on election day by short-term observers from the EU diplomatic corps, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.
The EU EOM will remain in the nation until the election results are announced.
In accordance with the EU political decision perception philosophy, the mission will give a primer assertion and hold a public interview in Abuja after the final voting day. After the entire electoral process has been concluded, the final report, which will include a set of suggestions for future elections, will be presented.