…highlights logistical challenges, political violence
…calls for restraint amid ongoing collation of results
Chuks Oluigbo
Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections held Saturday, February 25, fell well short of citizens’ reasonable expectations despite the much-needed reforms to The Electoral Act 2022, according to the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) Joint Election Observation Mission (IEOM).
In a preliminary statement on the election presented in Abuja on Monday, the former Malawian President Joyce Banda-led IRI-NDI Joint Election Observation Mission said logistical challenges and multiple incidents of political violence overshadowed the electoral process and impeded a substantial number of voters from participating.
The mission said ongoing currency shortage in the country, arising from the Central Bank’s naira redesign policy, as well as fuel scarcity across the country also imposed excessive burdens on voters and election officials, while marginalized groups, especially women, continue to face barriers to seeking and obtaining political office.
The Banda-led delegation further said it observed that late opening of polling locations and logistical failures created tensions and the secrecy of the ballot was compromised in some polling units given overcrowding.
“At the close of the polls, challenges with the electronic transfer of results and their upload to a public portal in a timely manner undermined citizen confidence at a crucial moment of the process. Moreover, inadequate communication and lack of transparency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about their cause and extent created confusion and eroded voters’ trust in the process. The combined effect of these problems disenfranchised Nigerian voters in many areas, although the scope and scale is currently unknown,” the mission said.
The IRI-NDI IEOM, however, said the above highlighted issues notwithstanding, Nigerians once again demonstrated their commitment to the democratic process, voters displayed extraordinary resilience and resolve to have their voices heard through the ballot, and INEC administered a nationwide election according to the electoral calendar for the first time in the country’s recent history.
It hailed Nigerians’ resilience and enthusiasm to take part in the electoral process.
“We congratulate the people of Nigeria for their resilience and enthusiasm to participate in the process,” Banda said.
“Despite large crowds in some polling stations and long waits, Nigerian voters demonstrated commitment to participate in the process and a strong desire to have their voices heard,” she said.
Banda was joined during the press conference by the co-leaders of the Mission: Ambassador Mark Green, President and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and former administrator of the United States Agency for International Development; NDI Board Member Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; IRI Board Member Constance Berry Newman, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; NDI Board Member Stacey Abrams, American political leader, lawyer, and voting rights activist; and IRI Board Member Dana White, former Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. NDI President, Ambassador Derek Mitchell, and IRI President, Dr. Daniel Twining, were also present.
The IRI-NDI 40-member joint IEOM was deployed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions and observed all stages of the voting process. Their observations informed preliminary findings and 27 practical recommendations to improve future elections.
The delegation urged political actors and their supporters to remain calm and exercise restraint as the nation awaits the results of the February 25 polls and as Nigerians prepare for the gubernatorial elections coming up March 11.
“The mission encourages INEC, the government, political actors and civil society to redouble their efforts to deliver on citizen expectations for transparent and inclusive elections, and to ensure that electoral outcomes are a credible expression of the voters’ will,” the mission said.
It expressed gratitude to Nigerians “for the hospitality and cooperation it received from all Nigerians with whom it met”.
“IRI and NDI will continue to watch the remaining phases of the electoral process, including the announcement of official results and swearing-in of newly elected officials. The delegation’s work was possible thanks to support from USAID,” it said.
