| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the role of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in the conduct of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which were pivotal in shaping the nation’s democratic trajectory. Nigerian elections had long been plagued by significant challenges, including violence, logistical failures, and allegations of fraud, and political interference, all of which contributed to a decline in public trust in the electoral process. Despite recent reforms, such as the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022 and the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), skepticism about the transparency and fairness of the elections persisted. The objectives of the study were to analyze how the European Union promoted democracy in Nigeria amid evolving domestic challenges and to assess the impact of the EU EOM on the 2023 general elections. The study was significant in strengthening electoral democracy in Nigeria by providing a critical appraisal of the EU EOM's influence.
The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological case study design, the study selected a sample of twenty (20) stakeholders, including INEC officials, observer groups, civil society organizations (CSOs), and members of academia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically.
Findings revealed that the absence of clear legal frameworks and weaknesses in electoral administration undermined the transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility of the elections, further eroding public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Additional findings offered several recommendations to address these challenges, such as clarifying ambiguities in electoral law, establishing transparent and accountable procedures for appointing INEC members, ensuring real-time access to election results, enhancing protections for media practitioners, addressing gender discrimination in politics, and combating impunity for electoral offenses.
The study recommended that EU observers broaden the scope of their activities to include pre-election and post-election processes, noting that focusing solely on Election Day was insufficient and could not withstand rigorous integrity assessments. Furthermore, the study advocated for comprehensive legal and operational reforms to enhance accountability and transparency, ensure adherence to human rights and the rule of law, and enforce INEC’s campaign regulations through robust monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms to prevent abuse of incumbency and government interference. Ultimately, the study concluded that the EU EOM played a significant role in advancing Nigeria’s democratic development during the 2023 general elections. | en_US |
