IRI/NDI Release Nigeria International Election Observation Mission Final Report

The NDI/IRI observation mission concluded that the the 2019 Elections did not meet the expectations of many Nigerians. The last-minute postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on the morning of Feb. 16 and delays in opening some polling units and other administrative challenges on Feb. 23 undermined public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While INEC distributed materials and opened polls in a more timely fashion for the March 9 gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections, many serious irregularities occurred, including vote buying, intimidation of voters and election officials, and election-related violence.

“The 2019 General Elections fell significantly short of standards set in 2015. Citizens’ confidence in elections was shaken,” said Dr. Daniel Twinning, IRI President. “Election stakeholders should take concrete steps to address the concerns with regards to the polls in order to rekindle their faith in the power and possibility of credibility elections.”

“The 2019 elections highlighted for many Nigerians the need for a national convention about the country’s democratization since the 1999 transition to civilian rule.” Said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, NDI President. We hope this report may both spur and contribute to enriching that national conversation.

Comments

comments