EU report restored trust in election monitoring – Ezekwesili

The European Union Election Observation Mission has received praise from former minister of education Obiageli Ezekwesili, who said that it did not compromise election credibility.

The election report for 2023, according to Ezekwesili, “surprisingly restored a measure of confidence in election monitoring around the world by not mincing words at all.”

Unlike its report on Nigeria, the former Minister argued in a statement she shared on her verified Twitter account on Tuesday that Observer Mission Reports were starting to become formulaic and appeared to compromise electoral credibility.

According to her, the study “diverged from the global trend and restored confidence in Election Observation.”

“The @euinNigeria surprisingly restored some faith in election monitoring around the world by being completely blunt in their European Union Election Observation Mission NIGERIA 2023 Final Report,” she posted.

“The @UN views election observation as follows:

“Why watch elections?

“A significant technique for raising the standard of elections is election observation. Public trust in the integrity of elections is increased by observers.

“Observation can support and safeguard the political and civic rights of election participants. Even when an election is still in progress, it may result in the improvement of mistakes or dubious procedures. It can disclose fraud and manipulation if it does happen or serve to prevent them.

“When observers can provide accurate reports, it strengthens confidence in the democratic system and raises the standing of the administrations that take power after elections.

“Homegrown organizations’ participation in the political process is encouraged by election observation. Reports and suggestions made by observer organizations after elections may result in modifications and enhancements to national legislation and practice.

“Those who keep up with global trends in election monitoring knew that Observer Mission Reports were starting to be formulaic and seemed to compromise electoral credibility.

“I highly suggest reading the EU Report… Credibility in elections was not at all compromised.

It deviated from the general tendency and reestablished trust in election observation.