IRI to Monitor Election Preparations in Nigeria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2006

Washington, D.C.—The International Republican Institute (IRI) will send a nine member pre-election observation delegation to Abuja, Nigeria, November 27 thru December 1. Headed by Ambassador Pierre-Richard Prosper, the delegation will observe voter registration, election campaigning, preparations for Election Day and the overall readiness of Nigeria for the 2007 presidential election.

While in Nigeria, the delegation will meet with political party leaders, government officials, religious leaders, civil society leaders, representatives of the international community and media representatives to gain perspective on the current state of election preparedness. The delegation will observe the voter registration process, the ability of political parties to conduct campaigns that address the needs of the people, and the ability of the government to ensure an open and transparent election.

Members of IRI's delegation are:

Ambassador Pierre-Richard Prosper, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large, Office of War Crimes Issues, U.S. State Department;
Honorable Harry A. Johnston, II, former Congressman from Florida, appointed Special Envoy to Sudan by President Bill Clinton;
Councillor Frances Johnson-Morris, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia;
Dr. J. Peter Pham, Director, Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia;
Manuel Pinto, former Member of the Ugandan Parliament, Kakuto County, Masaka District; and
Benjamin Ulenga, Member of the Namibian Parliament and leader of the Congress of Democrats.

IRI staff will also participate in the mission. They will be led by Elizabeth Dugan, Vice President of Programs and Stephanie Blanton, Regional Program Director for Africa.

###

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide