The Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their dedication and professionalism during the course of the election.
The mission , in a statement signed by H.E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf , the Head of the ECOWAS observation mission, which it referred to as a Preliminary Declaration on the Nigeria 2019 General Elections noted that the voting process went on smoothly despite the widespread delays witnessed at the commencement of the polls.
ECOWAS also applauded the effective presence of security agencies at various polling units for maintaining peace, order and curtailing outbreak of violence experienced in some places.
The statement commended voters for comporting themselves and for the, patience and tolerance exhibited , which they said , contributed to peaceful conduct during the electoral process.
The mission stated that the electoral process was largely peaceful and transparent as voters were able to cast their votes freely without any form of intimidation.
While congratulating Nigerians on the patriotism, tolerance and sense of duty which contributed to maintaining peace , which has thus, ushered in stability during the elections and after the elections, ECOWAS urged INEC and other stakeholders to approach the final phase of the process with fairness and transparency.
Similarly, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria observed that the February 23, 2019 elections were marked by serious operational shortcomings resulting in delays.
In a preliminary report, the Mission presented in Abuja, the EU (EOM) lauded the positive roles the civil society played in enhancing the transparency and accountability of the electoral process.
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The EU Chief Observer, Maria Arena, admitted that INEC operated in a difficult environment and made a number of improvements since 2015, including the introduction of continuous accreditation and voting.
She explained that the last-minute postponement of the elections, and the delayed start of voting on 23 February, placed an undue burden on voters.
She advised that ,“Going forward, there is a great need for more transparency and communication during the whole process, with political parties, civil society, the media and, most importantly, citizens,”
said Ms Arena.
The EU EOM further observed that the elections were competitive and that candidates were able to
campaign freely, although it stated that campaign rhetoric became more acrimonious closer to election
The mission expressed sadness at the loss of life in violent incidents during the campaign and on election day. “On behalf of the mission, may I offer our sincere
condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. Elections should be
occasions of peaceful participation,” said the Chief Observer.
On the media, the mission’s media monitoring found that, positively, the federal government owned radio, as well as leading commercial broadcasters at national and regional level offered a diversity of views, noting that there was clear partisan programming by the Nigerian Television Authority, state-run media, and local commercial radio stations owned by politicians. This gave advantage to incumbents at federal and state level.
On election day, 91 EU observers saw opening, voting and closing processes at 261 polling units, and the collation of results at 94 centres across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Polling procedures were not always followed, and in 14 per cent some essential materials were missing.
Positively, in almost all observations of counting, party agents received copies of results forms.
