Poll: EU observers conclusion from the final report on Nigeria 2023 general election is that INEC damaged public confidence in democracy. What is your opinion?

European Union observers have said, INEC failed to give a timely and comprehensive explanation for the failures on 25 February general election on what exactly caused the delays after the presidential poll, damaged public confidence in democracy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, “did not ensure a well-run, transparent and inclusive democratic process,” according to a final report by an EU observer mission released by email on Tuesday. “Public confidence and trust in INEC were severely damaged during the presidential poll and was not restored in state level elections.”

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Considering the forgoing, the EU conclusions is that Nigerians need to hold INEC accountable.

“By the time of the declaration of presidential results, one quarter of result forms were still missing from the IReV, and a significant percentage of the forms uploaded on IReV, often needed for comparison with manual results, were not legible.”

“A critical failure in the entire election process manifested at collation stage on 25 February due to widespread disorganization, a lack of adherence to prescribed procedures, and an unsuitable environment.

EU revealed that at least 74 people lost their lives from some 101 violent incidents before, during and after the elections, which was adjudged as a horror movie by some observers.

The European Union in it reports also said that the Labour Party suffered the most violence attacks in Nigerian States during the 2023 presidential and the governorship election.

Six out of seven persons killed during violate attacks were the LP members.

Read more here: European Union Election Observation Mission NIGERIA 2023 Final Report

Don’t judge us based on presidential election – INEC

Reacting to the report, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said INEC should not be judged based on the basis of glitch in result upload for the presidential election.

Okoye also said in assessing the process, Nigerians must start from the positives.

“My reaction is that we must start from the positives. Were there positives to this election? My answer is in the affirmative.

“One, the commission registered a lot of Nigerians to vote during this election and the commission also engaged in a lot of voter and civic education that engaged the Nigerian people with the electoral process.

“Secondly, the commission introduced technology in terms of voter registration; the commission introduced technology in terms of candidates nomination; the commission introduced technology in terms of accreditation of domestic and international observers, including the media. That is a positive side.

Tinubu faults EU Observer final position

The Presidency on Sunday has lambasted the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) final report on Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, describing the report as a jaundiced and poorly done desk job.

In a statement issued by the Special adviser to the president on special duties, communications and strategy Dele Alake says the government strongly reject, in its entirety, any notion and idea from any organization, group and individual remotely suggesting that the 2023 election was fraudulent.

Alake said the 2023 general elections, most especially the presidential election, won by President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, were credible, peaceful, free, fair and the best organized general elections in Nigeria since 1999.