European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) press conference in Abuja, Tuesday, had the Deputy Chief Observer, EU EOM, Mr. Thomas Boserup; the EU EOM’s Press Officer, Agnes Doka; and the Chief Observer of the EOM, Mr. Barry Andrews in attendance
EU’s Observation Mission makes 23 recommendations in final report on 2023 election
European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) has listed a total of 23 recommendations in its third and final report on the February 25 and March 18 National and state elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), this year.
Out of the 23 recommendations put forward the body listed six of them as priorities for the Federal Government.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, 27 June 2023, the Chief Observer of the Election Observation Mission (EOM), Mr. Barry Andrews, said the European Union stands ready to support Nigerian stakeholders in the implementation of these recommendations.
“The six priority recommendations point to the need to: 1. Remove ambiguities in the law; 2. Establish a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members; 3. Ensure real-time publication of and access to election results; 4. Provide greater protection for media practitioners; 5. Address discrimination against women in political life; 6. Address impunity regarding electoral offences,” Mr. Andrews said.
According to Andrews, the 2023 General Elections did not ensure a well-run transparent and inclusive democratic process as assured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), attributing it to shortcomings in law and electoral administration.
He further highlighted poor institutional planning, lack of accurate planning, intimidation, vote buying, failure to upload election results in real-time, just to mention a few, as some of the drawbacks of the elections.
Nevertheless, Andrews commended the involvement of civil societies in the elections, describing it as ‘exceptional’.
Also present at the public presentation was the Deputy Chief Observer, EU EOM, Mr. Thomas Boserup; the EU EOM’s Press Officer, Agnes Doka; and the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the INEC, Mr. Festus Okoye, among others.
The EU EOM in Nigeria 2023 elections was led by the Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, member of the European Parliament from Ireland.
The mission carried out its work between 11 January and 11 April with a delegation of the European Parliament joining it for the observation of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, which held on February 25, and the Governorship/ State Houses of Assemblies elections of March 18.
The mission accredited a total of 110 observers from 25 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Canada.
Earlier, Monday the EU EOM delegation had paid a visit to the Headquarters of INEC, where it met with the National Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, and other top officials of the commission in Abuja.
