This preliminary statement is offered by the international observation mission of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to Nigeria’s February 23, 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections. The 40-person mission, with members from 19 countries, was co-led by: former Vice President of The Gambia, H.E. Fatoumata Tambajang; NDI President, Ambassador Derek Mitchell; and IRI President, Dr. Daniel Twining.
The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) announce the redeployment of its joint international election observation delegation to Nigeria. The redeployment comes as a result of the postponement of Nigeria’s elections from February 16 to February 23.
The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI) joint international election observation mission for Nigeria’s 2019 elections release the following statement:
NDI/IRI fully endorse the Joint Statement on the Postponement of the 2019 Elections in Nigeria of election observation mission heads and continue to support Nigeria’s democratic development.
We, the Heads of the international election observation missions and the United Nations present in Nigeria, have taken note of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the 2019 general elections due to logistical and operational challenges.
While we note that this decision has caused disappointment for many, we call on all Nigerians to continue to remain calm and supportive of the electoral process as INEC works to implement its new timeline.
In September 2018, NDI organized a set of 12 focus groups to gauge public attitudes on the performance of the parliament and members of parliament (MPs), views on the recent municipal elections and opinions on upcoming regional, legislative and Presidential elections. The research also explores ideas related to citizen outreach, priority issues for the upcoming legislative year and possible amendments to electoral law and the constitution. The research marked the Institute's 20th round of focusgroups since the revolution of 2011 and the ninth since 2014 elections.
From December 14-19, 2018, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) conducted a third pre-election assessment mission as part of their joint observation of Nigeria’s 2019 general elections. IRI/NDI conducted an initial pre-election assessment in July 2018 and a second pre-election assessment in September 2018.
This statement is offered by an international delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The delegation’s purposes were to accurately and impartially assess electoral preparations in advance of the 2019 parliamentary elections; review the broader political environment; examine factors that could affect the integrity of the electoral process; and offer recommendations that could contribute to peaceful, credible elections and public confidence in the electoral process.
SUMMARY
Abuja, Nigeria – From December 14-19, 2018, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) will field a third joint delegation to Nigeria to assess preparations for the upcoming national elections scheduled for February and March 2019.
The delegation members are as follows:
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Linda Thomas-Greenfield (lead delegate), Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs;
This statement is offered by a delegation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) that analyzed the second round of Georgia’s presidential election on November 28, 2018. The delegation, which included observers from five countries, was led by Per Eklund, ambassador and former head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Georgia, Laurie Fulton, former US ambassador to Denmark; Laura Linderman, research fellow, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council; Marija Babic, independent electoral expert; and Laura Thornton, NDI global associate and senior resident director in Georgia.