2023: Commonwealth Observer Group arrives Nigeria, says 2023 polls ‘Africa’s largest democratic exercise’

Ahead of the February 25 and March 11 General Elections in the country, the Commonwealth Observer Group to Nigeria has described the forthcoming 2023 poll in the country as ‘Africa’s largest democratic exercise,’ as noted that it outcomes ‘will be significant not only for Nigeria, but also for the entire continent.’

The Group further urged political parties, candidates and supporters to play their part at ensuring peaceful, transparent and credible elections come this, Saturday.

The Observer Group comprises 16 eminent persons from around the Commonwealth, including politicians, diplomats and experts in law, human rights, gender equality and election administration.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to 2.5 billion people and consists of both advanced economies and developing countries.

33 of its members also include small countries of 25 Island nations with shared goals like development, democracy and peace.

Addressing journalists during a press conference on arrival in Abuja, Saturday, ahead of the polls, the group, led by its Chairperson, and former President of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, therefore, urged ‘all stakeholders in Nigeria to uphold their commitment to ensure a peaceful and inclusive election in which the people of Nigeria are able to freely exercise their right to vote, with the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly fully respected.’

Explaining the mandate of the Mission as observing and assess the pre-election period, activities on polling day and the post-election period, Mbeki added that ‘throughout, we will consider all factors relating to the credibility of the electoral process. We will assess whether the elections are conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Nigeria has committed itself … As we undertake this assessment and conduct our duties, we will be objective, independent and impartial.’

Mr. Mbeki said the group will over the coming days receive briefings from the electoral authorities, political parties, the media and civil society groups representing women, youth and people with disabilities which will enable them to get a better understanding of the situation within the country ahead of the elections.

“As of February 2023, an estimated 93.4 million registered voters will have the right to cast ballots for presidential and national assembly candidates in 176,846 polling units across Nigeria.

“From 23 February, observers will be deployed across the country to observe the pre-election preparations as well as voting, counting and results processes at polling stations.

“An interim statement, which provides the group’s preliminary assessment of the electoral process, will be delivered by the Chairperson at a press conference on 27 February in Abuja.

“Following the elections, the group will submit its recommendations in a report to Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC which she will forward to the Government of Nigeria, the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission, the leadership of political parties taking part in the elections and all Commonwealth governments. The report will be made public afterwards,” Mbeki explained.

It would be recalled that the European Union (EU) election monitoring team has already arrived in the country ahead of the general elections.

The EU, last month, January, 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.

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.