Joint NDI/IRI Delegation in Nigeria Issues Third Pre-Election Statement on Preparations for 2019 General Elections

Abuja, Nigeria – Today, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI)’s joint pre-election assessment mission delegation released its third statement of pre-election findings and recommendations ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 general elections.

The delegation visited Abuja, Nigeria from December 14-19, 2018. The delegation was led by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and also included Lewis Lucke, former USAID senior official and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland, Dickson Omondi, NDI Kenya Resident Country Director, and John Tomaszewski, IRI Regional Director for Africa.

“The 2019 general elections could be another important step in consolidating Nigeria’s democratic development,” said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. “The joint NDI/IRI delegation notes the positive efforts being made to conduct more transparent, and inclusive elections, but confidence in the process and the outcome of the elections could still be undermined. Nigerians should know that all eyes will be on Nigeria for the 2019 general elections.”

“While there are less than two months until election day, there are still a number of tangible steps that Nigerian stakeholders should take to promote credible and peaceful elections,” said Ambassador Lucke. “IRI and NDI will deploy joint international election observation missions for the general elections in 2019.”

Today’s statement includes analysis of the electoral environment since the second assessment; the status of recommendations previously offered by NDI/IRI; and issues that could still be addressed between now and election day to ensure more credible and peaceful polls. The delegation encourages Nigerians to continue their efforts to enhance citizen confidence and participation in the election and mitigate violence before, during, and after the polls.

IRI/NDI jointly conducted an initial pre-election assessment in July 2018 and a second pre-election assessment in September 2018.

NDI and IRI have organized more than 200 international election observation missions around the globe, earning a reputation for impartiality and professionalism. The IRI/NDI mission to Nigeria will conduct its activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005 and the laws of Nigeria. It also considered international and regional standards, including the African Union (AU) Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. All activities were conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the election process.

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About IRI

A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the International Republican Institute (IRI) advances freedom and democracy worldwide by helping political parties to become more responsive, strengthening transparent and accountable governance, and working to increase the role of marginalized groups in the political process – including women and youth. Since 1983, IRI has monitored 205 elections in 57 countries through international observation missions and assessments. More information is available at www.iri.org.

About NDI

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. Over the past 35 years, NDI has conducted more than 150 election observation missions in 62 countries. Visit ndi.org to learn more.