The European Union has appointed Maria Arena as Chief Observer European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria for the forthcoming elections.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini made the announcement today.
Ms Arena is a member of the European Parliament from Belgium.
The deployment of the EU Election Observation Mission follows an invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The EU has consistently followed electoral processes and deployed an EOM to Nigeria’s general elections since 1999, as part of its long-term commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in the country.
The elections are scheduled for 16 February and 2 March 2019.
High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini stated: “As Africa’s largest economy and a key political and economic player in West Africa, Nigeria is an important partner for the EU.
“The EU is committed to support Nigeria’s path towards stronger democracy and
further political stability, building on the 2015 general elections. I am confident that the deployment of an EU EOM under the leadership of Chief Observer Maria Arena, will contribute to an inclusive and transparent electoral process. ”
In her reaction, the Chief Observer, Maria Arena, said: “It is a great honour for me to lead this important EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria. I am hopeful that our observation will provide a meaningful contribution to the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria.”
The Election Observation Mission Core Team of eleven EU election analysts arrived in Nigeria on 4 January and will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process. They are expected to be joined by 40 long-term observers who will be deployed across the country.
The European Union’s Election Observation Mission looks forward to working with other international and domestic observation missions.
The Observation Mission will issue a final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes.
