Systemic Failings and Electoral Security Problems Show Need for Serious Reform, Says EU

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria Monday said while there were “operational improvements” in the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on March 9, “these were overshadowed by systemic failings, including a lack of transparency, incumbency advantage and a troubling electoral security environment.”

According to the EU, the obvious problems demonstrate the need for an inclusive national discussion on electoral reform.

“The systemic problems evident in the 2019

electoral process show the need for an inclusive national discussion on reform for greater electoral integrity and participation.

“We echo the view of leading civil society organisations that say that there is an urgent need to restore faith in the electoral process. We encourage a national conversation on electoral reform and strongly believe that it would meaningfully contribute to Nigeria’s democratic development,” said EU Chief Observer, Maria Arena.

Presenting the mission’s preliminary statement in Abuja, Arena said on election day, polling procedures were assessed more positively by the EU observers compared to the 23 February election day.

EU EOM, however, condemned the violence and intimidation, including against election officials and voters, and also referred to the obstruction of citizen observers by the military and security agents on election day.

She said observers, including EU observers, were denied access to collation centres in Rivers.

Arena explained that overall, the elections were competitive with freedom to campaign.

“However, there was misuse of incumbency, including on state-owned state media, which prevented a level playing field. In the two weeks leading up to the state elections, EU observers saw some misuse of state offices, as well as institutional websites being used for campaigning by both APC and PDP incumbent governors.

“State-level media broadcast political debates in 21 states, giving voters the opportunity to directly compare candidates. However in 12 states, incumbents or their main challengers refused to participate.

“All nine state-owned radio stations monitored by the EU Election Observation Mission served the interests of incumbent governors,” EU Observers said.

The mission also noted pressure on local media outlets and journalists before and on election day.

On election day, 73 EU observers followed opening, voting and closing processes at 223 polling units, and the collation of results at 81 centres across 22 states.

EU said most polling units visited opened on time or less than 30 minutes late, and the procedures for the accreditation of voters were significantly improved. “The counting of ballots was overall transparent. Positively, in almost all cases, party agents received copies of the results forms,” it added.

The EU EOM also presented its assessment of the collation process for the presidential and National Assembly results. It concluded that inconsistent numbers, lack of clear checks and explanations, and insufficient public information undermined confidence in the integrity of process.

The mission emphasised the need for better training of collation staff, improved data management and, in particular, more information and explanation from INEC on this important phase of the election process.

“The mission will continue to observe the collation process for the state elections, the announcement of results, as well any petitions. It will remain in Nigeria for the coming weeks. A final report, including recommendations for future elections, will be published approximately two months later,” EU said.