The European Union (EU) will be deploying a team of fifty-one observers to monitor the 2019 general elections. The Election Observation Mission Core Team of eleven EU election analysts arrived in Nigeria on January 4 and will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process. Later this month, the Core Team will be joined by forty long-term observers who will be deployed across the country. The elections are scheduled for February 16 and March 2, 2019. Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission announced late Friday that, Maria Arena, a member of the European Parliament from Belgium has been appointed as Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria.
“As Africa’s largest economy and a key political and economic player in West Africa, Nigeria is an important partner for the EU. The EU is committed to support Nigeria’s path towards stronger democracy and further political stability, building on the 2015 general elections. I am confident that the deployment of an EU EOM under the leadership of Chief Observer Maria Arena, will contribute to an inclusive and transparent electoral process,” High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini stated.
Huhuonline.com understands that the deployment of the EU Election Observation Mission follows an invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The EU has consistently deployed observers to monitor Nigerian elections since 1999, reflecting its long-term commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in the country.
The EU election observation mission is expected to cooperate with other international and domestic observation missions. The mission will issue preliminary statements at press conferences in Abuja, shortly after both elections. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented at a later stage, after the finalization of the electoral process.
The chief election observer, Maria Arena said: “It is a great honor for me to lead this important EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria. I am hopeful that our observation will provide a meaningful contribution to the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria.”
In another development, the United Nations said there are increased prospects that the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria will be peaceful and credible. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Chambas, said this in his latest briefing to the Security Council. Chambas said: “In Nigeria, tensions are high ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections of Feb. 16, and the governorship and state assembly elections of March 2. “However, the prospects for peaceful and credible elections have been increased following the signing of the National Peace Accord in Abuja on Dec. 11, 2018.
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Federica Mogherini: announced the EU Observation Mission for the Nigerian election
