The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) in Nigeria says everybody is responsible for the organization of a good election but the Independent National Electoral Commission has a responsibility to be transparent in organizing the elections in order for Nigerians to trust the process and adjudge the elections as good.

Speaking after a working visit to the International Press Centre (IPC), which is one of the partner-organizations being supported by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria: Component 4b: Support to the Media, Ms. Maria Arena noted that everybody has his own responsibility but the biggest responsibility is expected from the public institutions who have roles to play in the election process such as INEC.

Ms. Arena, who was accompanied by EOM media analyst, Ms. Inta Lase, was received by the Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade. The visiting EU-EOM delegation, beyond interacting with the IPC team, also visited the IPC Media Monitoring Centre and engaged the media monitors who  are monitoring daily reports in 12 print/online newspapers to capture the trends in media coverage of the 2019 electoral process.

“I think everybody has his own responsibility but the biggest responsibility is coming from the public organizations just like INEC, they are in charge of organizing this election process so they have to be sure that the people are trusting them and to trust on INEC that it will be transparent and it is the way you can have good election in the country”, Ms. Arena noted.

On the mission’s assessment on the preparations for the election so far, she said that could not be done yet as a proper assessment would only be made after the elections.

On the visit to the International Press Centre, the Mission noted that “it is important to have observations on media, because the media is really important in a country just like Nigeria people are listening people, are seeing media and people are using the media so it is important to have these kind of analysts in Nigeria to see how well informed the people are about what is happening in the country for the election.

“ And, this is the first thing, to vote correctly, people need to have correct information and this is the job that the media is doing; ensuring the Nigerian people are well informed about the election process.

“I think everybody is responsible for the organization of a good election in a country, the media they have their responsibility to give all the people all the parties even the smallest one the possibility of saying what they want to do for the country so media have their responsibility in the country, it is important”

The EU mission is optimistic that the election would be successful. The purpose of the Mission is to “assess the electoral process against Nigeria’s laws and international commitments in relation to democratic elections.”

The team consists of 11 election experts to be based in Abuja and 40 experienced long-term observers, who were to be deployed all around the country to cover Nigeria’s 36 states. Arena emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability at all stages of the electoral process, saying “these elections are an opportunity for Nigeria to build on what was achieved in 2015 and to further strengthen the country’s democracy.”

The EU has observed all general elections in Nigeria since 1999. The EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions. EU observers adhere to a strict code of conduct for international election observation that requires they maintain strict neutrality and impartiality in the course of their work and not interfere in the electoral process.

After both election days, the Mission is expected to issue a preliminary statement. A more comprehensive final report, including recommendations to improve future elections, will be published approximately two months after the end of the electoral process. It will be noted that the EOM is in Nigeria in response to the invitation by the Nigerian Government.

Pictorial highlights below: