Broad analysis of the EU's report in enhancing future electoral process

The European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria for the March 2019 general election has released it's final report advising a new law that ensures both transparent in the election results collation process. The EU mission concluded that the election was marred by severe operational and transparency shortcomings, electoral security problems and low turnout. It says a systematic failings in the election shows the need for fundamental reform. The EU applauded INEC for making some improvements.

             DISQUS

What is important is that the Nigerian government, the presidency has said that they have taken note of the 30 recommendations by the European Union election observation commission as articulated by Hannah Roberts, Deputy chief observer for the EU mission on Saturday. I think that is a positive attribute by the government for not being defensive in any way.

Also the PDP has played politics with it, to say that this is a clear indication that the election was flawed. But it's better to look at the report holistically.

What the European Union is calling for is fundamental reform of the electoral process in Nigeria. The European Union observing 94 collation centers, looked at security bridges, accused INEC of lack of transparency in the collation of results, complained about violence, and indeed there was violence. At least about 150 people reportedly died during the election process. Rivers, Imo, Kano, these were states where there was issues of violence. And also there was security bridges of course, and one of the emerging topics on that election was about the role that was played by the military, and the violation of the process in many parts of the country. So what is important is to learn lessons on that election. And INEC himself has responded to say yes, that INEC is ready to tow the part of reforms, and whatever is possible within the available legal framework.

And we hope that the government will be committed to conducting much better elections in 2023. President should have a chance to conduct free fair and credible elections in 2023, and by-election as the case may be. And we hope that the judicial process will ensure that the injustice in any of the cases that are either before the tribunal that are before the courts are handled fairly.