IRI/NDI Nigeria International Election Observation Mission Final Report June 2019 IRI/NDI Nigeria International Election Observation Mission Final Report Copyright © 2019 International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI). All rights reserved. Portions of this work may be reproduced and/or translated for non-commercial purposes provided IRI and NDI are acknowledged as the source of the material and are sent copies of any translation. Send copies to: Attention Department of External Affairs Attention Communications Department International Republican Institute National Democratic Institute 1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 800 455 Massachusetts Ave NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20005 Washington, DC 20001
[email protected] http://www.ndi.org/contact IRI/NDI Nigeria International Election Observation Mission Final Report iii Letter from the Presidents The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) hereby present our final report on the 2019 elections in Nigeria. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all Nigerians with whom our delegates met during this long-term observation process including government officials, the Chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), polling officials, party members, candidates, citizen election observers, civic activists and members of the National Peace Committee for their hospitality and cooperation. Four years ago, Nigeria held elections that were recognized internationally as free, fair and credible. The 2019 general elections fell significantly short of standards set in 2015. Citizens’ confidence in elections was shaken. Nigeria holds great promise with a dynamic youth population, substantial human and material resources and a vibrant civil society. Election stakeholders, especially the federal government, National Assembly, political parties and INEC should take concrete steps to address the concerns of citizens with regards to the polls in order to rekindle their faith in the power and possibility of credible elections.