The European Union is expected to issue a preliminary statement on its observations of the governorship and State House of Assembly elections. EU Chief Observer Barry Andrews announced this to journalists on Saturday. The EU observer mission has been on the ground since January 2023, with teams deployed across the states. Andrews said the final report on the February 25 and March 18 elections will be released within three months after the elections.
During his visit to five polling units—including Kalada OP (017), Barking Ado (006), and Aunty Alice Secondary School polling unit—in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Andrews noted that the elections were peaceful and the technology used functioned properly, although voter turnout was low. He emphasized that the mission is operating at the invitation of the Independent National Electoral Commission to assess the electoral process. “We have been deployed here since early January and will remain until April,” he said. “The final report, due within three months after the election, will contain our conclusions and recommendations.”
Andrews explained that the assessment will be based on internationally accepted criteria and Nigeria’s own legislative commitments, as well as international conventions. The key criteria are inclusivity and credibility, encompassing the entire media, judicial, and legislative landscape—hence the extended deployment. “We will issue a preliminary statement on today’s election within two days,” he added, stressing the mission’s goal of strengthening democracy in Nigeria and positioning the country as a valuable partner for those committed to that ideal.
He noted that more than 60 observers are deployed nationwide and that he had visited four polling units that morning. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, the presence of both international and domestic monitors promotes adherence to proper methodology, reduces fraud attempts, and enhances transparency. “The polling units opened on time, the technology worked, and the process was peaceful,” Andrews said, “but it is impossible to draw any substantive conclusions at this stage.”
When asked whether Nigerians should expect new information from the report due on Monday, Andrews replied that the document will cover today’s activities, the collation process, and the uploading of results to the IReV platform. “I hope you will not be disappointed,” he said. “It will be honest and robust.”
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