The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Nigeria, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, has urged the country’s political parties, candidates and their supporters to play their part in ensuring peaceful, transparent and credible elections on Saturday, 25 February 2023.
The former President of South Africa made his statement at a press conference in Abuja, following the arrival of Commonwealth observers in Nigeria on 18 February 2023.
Addressing the journalists today, President Thabo Mbeki said: “This month’s elections will be Africa’s largest democratic exercise. The outcomes of the elections will be significant not only for Nigeria, but also for the entire continent.
He added: “Our mandate is to observe and assess the pre-election period, activities on polling day and the post-election period. Throughout, we will consider all factors relating to the credibility of the electoral process. We will assess whether the elections are conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Nigeria has committed itself … As we undertake this assessment and conduct our duties, we will be objective, independent and impartial.
Over the coming days, the group will receive briefings from the electoral authorities, political parties, the media and civil society groups representing women, youth and people with disabilities. This will enable the group to get a better understanding of the situation within the country ahead of the elections.
As of February 2023, an estimated 93.4 million registered voters will have the right to cast ballots for presidential and national assembly candidates in 176,846 polling units across Nigeria.Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigeria: Commonwealth Observer Group Advocates Peaceful, Credible PollsThe Commonwealth Election Observer Group to Nigeria's elections has made a call on all stakeholders to ensure peaceful and credible elections, insisting that the outcomes of the elections will be significant not only for Nigeria but also for the entire African continent.
Read more »
International Observers in Place to Monitor Nigeria's ElectionsElection observer missions have arrived in Abuja as Nigerians prepare to vote on February 25 for President and National Assembly. Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved a number of delegations from international organisations, Premium Times reports, including the African Union, Commonwealth, ECOWAS and European Union. Among the approved 22 foreign organisations are the African Bar Association, All Nigerian Nationals in Diaspora, Americas Empowerment Institute INC, Australia High Commission, British High Commission, Canadian Embassy, Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), Embassy of Antigua & Barbuda, European Union. INEC List of Approved Domestic and Foriegn Election Observer Groups "This election is vital for Africa - and for U.S., European and other interests - not least because of the urgency of stabilizing Nigeria," two analysts write in a commentary published by the U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP) in Washington, DC. A 40-member delegation from 20 countries headed by former Malawi President Joyce Banda was organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute, two U.S. government funded nonpartisan, nongovernmental organizations. The Commonwealth Observer Group to Nigeria, headed by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, includes 16 eminent persons from around the Commonwealth, including politicians, diplomats and experts in law, human rights, gender equality and election administration.
Read more »
Nigeria: Gender Equality in Nigeria - Three Reasons Why Women Aren't Represented in PoliticsAnalysis - In March 2022, Nigerian women suffered backlash in their pursuit of gender equity. Five gender bills presented to the National Assembly were thrown out.
Read more »
Nigeria: Will Nigeria's Next President Answer to the Public?Analysis - The leading candidates have mixed records when it comes to accountability and responsive governance.
Read more »
Nigeria: NDI-IRI Announce International Election Observation Mission to Nigeria for February 25 ElectionsAnnouncement - The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) announce the deployment of a joint international election observation mission (IEOM) to Nigeria. The 40-member delegation, comprised of political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America, received accreditation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the February 25 elections.
Read more »
Nigeria: A Key Election for Nigeria Raises a Rising Demand: InclusionAnalysis - After 24 years of civilian rule, Nigerians debate how to strengthen their democracy.
Read more »