EU deploys 100 election observers

The European Union Election Observation Mission has said that 100 observers will be deployed for the 2023 elections.

This was stated by EU EOM Chief Observer Barry Andrews during the inauguration of the EU EOM for Nigeria 2023 in Abuja on Monday.

Andrews said the EU EOM was deployed by the EU at the invitation of the Independent National Electoral Commission and started on January 11, 2023 with the arrival of a core team of 11 experts with competences in various aspects of elections.

He also stated that this is the seventh EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria since 1999, noting that for the first time in Nigeria the mission has a dedicated Election Technology Analyst who would assess the use of technologies, in particular voter verification and transfer of Results. .

Andrews explained: “The structure of our team is we have the Chief Observer, Deputy Chief Observer and we have 11 on our core team and they have been here since January 11. We have election analyst, political analyst, media experts, social media and mainstream analysts.

“Yesterday, January 29, we deployed 40 long-term observers in 20 teams of two covering 36 states across the country and we will rely on their observations and input from the data they were able to collect and meet with stakeholders to help us complete the work we are currently working on.

“We will examine the implementation of the electoral law and all the changes that have taken place and the challenges specific to Nigeria. Every election environment has its characteristics and we are aware of all those characteristics that affect the country. There are concerns regarding the new technology, the full implementation of the Electoral Act and the work of INEC.

“We will also deploy short-term observers in the immediate conduct of the elections, who will be recruited locally. We are very grateful for the cooperation, not only the EU delegations present here, but also Canada, Norway and Switzerland have contributed their temporary observers for this. In time, we would have 100 observers who will follow election day itself. The 100 observers will observe the voting, counting and table procedures on February 25 and March 11.”

Andrews added that following the data and observations of the long-term observers, a preliminary statement would be issued two days after the general election.

He said: “The EU Election Observation Mission will issue a preliminary statement two days after each election day and will remain in Nigeria until the completion of the entire election process, including grievance and appeal procedures, and any second round of the presidential election.”