2011 Nigeria National Elections
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that occurred between the April 16 presidential election and the April 26 state elections resulted in
more than 800 killed, thousands injured, some 65,000 displaced, as well as damage and destruction
to homes and property due to arson and vandalism. The outbreak of post-election violence in April
2011 marked one of the worst episodes of such violence in Nigeria's recent democratic history.
Working to prevent such violence, and its underlying causes, is critical to the quality of Nigeria's
democratic and political future.
With the exception of this tragic outbreak of violence, IRI commends many of the key stakeholders
who effectively carried out their duties during the election cycle, including: the Nigerian people, for
showing sustained interest and concern regarding the integrity of the elections, and who turned out
in large numbers throughout the country to vote in a peaceful, participatory and orderly manner;
INEC, whose staff acted professionally and worked hard to meet many challenges and deadlines;
INEC's chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, who demonstrated integrity, commitment and leadership
in the face of a tight deadline and almost constant uncertainty; the approximately 240,000 youth
volunteers of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who staffed the country's 120,000 polling
units in an effective and non-partisan manner; the Nigerian armed forces and police, who deployed
throughout the country to ensure the integrity of the process; the national and local Nigerian media,
who provided wide and thoughtful coverage of the entire election cycle over television, radio, print,
Internet and mobile phones; and, the political parties and their candidates, who engaged in active
campaigns, contributed their time and energy, and vocalized their desire for free and fair elections.
IRI has formally observed each of Nigeria's national electoral cycles, as part of a larger effort to
support the country's transition to democracy. This support began in 1998 with the establishment
of a field office in the country and implementation of programs to train and strengthen Nigerian
political parties, civil society organizations, media and marginalized groups such as youth, women
and persons with disabilities. Although the country's first elections held in 1999 were viewed to be a
good start, subsequent elections failed to contribute to the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
In fact, the most recent prior elections—held in 2007—were universally deemed by the international
community to be the most fraudulent, and worst organized, of the electoral cycles held by Nigeria
since the end of military rule in 1998 and the introduction of multiparty democracy. Consequently,
both Nigeria and the international community placed high stakes and expectations on the 2011
elections for fear that a continued deterioration in the quality of the country's elections could result
in internal conflict and a disintegration of national integrity.
A key component of IRI's overarching strategy for enhancing the credibility of Nigeria's 2011
elections was to promote widespread attention towards, support for and interest in a transparent and
democratic electoral process in the country. This effort was directed at the international community,
Nigerian power structures, the media and Nigeria's diverse population. This approach reflected
IRI's philosophy that elections are not simply singular events, but rather one part of the democratic
process. Throughout the pre-election period, IRI worked extensively with all of Nigeria's
stakeholders. The goal of these programs was to help prepare and encourage these stakeholders to
embrace democratic reforms and encourage equal access to political space. IRI's field office carried
out this work with assistance from Washington, D.C. staff, international trainers, consultants and
prominent experts from the United States, Europe and Africa.
To assist in evaluating Nigeria's efforts to prepare for the elections, two pre-election assessment
missions were jointly conducted between IRI and its sister organization, the NDI. Each assessment
