#NigeriaDecides2023: Lack of transparency and operational failures undermining the credibility of Nigeria’s election - EU election observer mission

 

Photo credit: EUinNigeria/Twitter

A preliminary statement of the EU election observation mission (EU EOM) in Nigeria has cited lack of transparency and operational failures as part of factors undermining the credibility of the February 2023 general elections held in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday, 27^th February 2023, the EU election observer mission noted that inadequate preparation by the Independent Electoral marred the election process.

“On 25 February, Nigerians went to the polls in highly anticipated presidential and National Assembly elections that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) kept on schedule despite a volatile and challenging environment. Fundamental freedoms of assembly and movement were largely respected, yet the full enjoyment of the latter was impeded by insufficient planning, insecurity and the prevailing Naira and fuel shortages.” part of the release stated.

Touching on the operational capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the observer mission noted that “INEC’s operational capacity was hampered by the ongoing fuel and Naira shortage. Insecurity prevented it from accessing some Local Government Areas (LGAs), notably in the South. Attacks on INEC premises, including just days before polling, hindered preparations in affected areas, while instilling fear in voters. Overall, stakeholders had expressed confidence in INEC’s independence, professionalism, and voter information efforts, but this decreased ahead of elections. INEC lacked efficient planning and transparency during critical stages of the electoral process, while on election day trust in INEC was seen to further reduce due to delayed polling processes and information gaps related to much anticipated access to results on its Results Viewing Portal (IReV).”

Regarding the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the IReV for the 2023 elections, the observer mission asserts that delayed training of technical personnel, inadequate mock testing exercise, and a lack of public information on the election technologies dampened the expectations electorates had prior to the election day.

Meanwhile, the observer mission has congratulated the media for its extensive coverage of the 2023 general elections.

Read the full report by the European Union election observer mission in Nigeria here: https://bit.ly/3Z99QBW

AEP

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