EU Mission Expresses Disappointment Over Conduct Of 2023 Guber Election

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria 2023 has expressed disappointment with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the governorship and state assembly elections.

The electoral process on Saturday was marred by reports of violence, tribal attacks, thuggery, and intimidation, and condemning it, the EU mission stated that INEC failed to live up to the expectations of Nigerians.

In his preliminary statement on Monday, the Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Barry Andrews, noted that citizens' appetite for democracy was lost due to the failures of INEC and the political elite.

“Throughout the mission, we saw that Nigerians have a great appetite for democracy and are keen to engage in various civic activities. However, in many parts of the country, their expectations were not met. 

“Many were disappointed and we witnessed voter apathy that is in part, a clear consequence of failures by political elites and, unfortunately, also by INEC.

“Public confidence and trust in INEC were severely damaged on 25 February due to lack of transparency and operational failures in the conduct of the federal level polls.

“Up until the postponement, INEC continued to abstain from providing information, limiting its communication to a few press releases and ceremonial statements and hence failing to address public grievances and rebuild confidence in the electoral process.

“From 11 March onwards, despite compressed timeframes, INEC introduced various corrective measures to render a timely delivery of electoral materials, efficient use of election technologies, and ensure prompt publication of result forms, some of which were effective. 

“Positively, INEC introduced some corrective measures ahead of Saturday’s polls, allowing a timely delivery of sensitive materials and improved use of election technologies, yet the institution continued to lack transparency”, he said.

Speaking further, Andrews added that the most affected states in the country included Lagos and Kano.

“Unfortunately, there were many casualties and fatalities.

“Vote buying, also directly observed by EU EOM observers, further detracted from the appropriate conduct of the“elections,” he noted.