The International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) Joint Election Observation Mission (IEOM) presented their preliminary statement on the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria.
On Monday, 27th February 2024 in Abuja, the former President of Malawi and the leader of the election observer, Dr. Joyce Banda, congratulated Nigerians for their resilience and enthusiasm, despite large crowds in some polling stations and long waits. Banda further states that Nigerian voters demonstrated commitment to participate in the process and a strong desire to have their voices heard in the election.
The mission noted that despite the reforms to the Electoral Act 2022, the election fell well short of Nigerian citizens' reasonable expectations, while the electoral commission lacked transparency.
Dr. Banda said logistical challenges and multiple incidents of political violence overshadowed the electoral process and impeded a substantial number of voters from participating.
NDI/IRI confirmed currency and fuel shortages imposed excessive burdens on voters and election officials while marginalized groups, especially women, continue to face barriers to seeking and obtaining political office.
The mission also observed that the late opening of polling stations and logistical failures created tensions and the secrecy of the ballot was compromised in some polling units given overcrowding.
Banda said after the polls, failure to electronically transmit results and upload them to a public portal promptly, undermined citizen confidence at a crucial moment of the process.
"Inadequate communication and lack of transparency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about their cause and extent created confusion and eroded voters’ trust in the process.
“The combined effect of these problems disenfranchised Nigerian voters in many areas, although the scope and scale are currently unknown,” Dr. Banda added.
The mission also commended INEC for conducting the general elections according to the electoral calendar for the first time in the country’s recent history.