The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has invited interested international organizations across the world to come and observe the 2023 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the call Monday when he received a delegation of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Pre-Election Fact Finding Mission to Nigeria.
The group was led by a former chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
At their meeting at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu said the call for observers was a demonstration of the commission’s openness.
“Election observation is an important part of ensuring transparency and credibility in elections,” he said.
“We have always benefited from the insight of election observation missions.
“For instance, you are here on fact-finding. We will hear from you what you have found so far, which will help us in concluding our preparations for the election.
“And I look forward also to receiving any report at the end of the process in February and March so that we can learn even more from the insight.’’
The chairman assured the ECOWAS team that the 2023 General Election would be technology driven.
“Let me restate the commitment of INEC Nigeria to free, fair, and credible elections driven by technology,” Professor Yakubu said.
“So, I want to assure the ECOWAS team that we are committed to delivering a credible election in the next four months and a few days, which will be Nigeria’s seventh successive election, since the restoration of democracy in 1999.’’
The INEC chairman commended the ECOWAS observer team for its commitment to credible elections in Nigeria, adding that it was the first to arrive in Nigeria for the election.
A member of the ECOWAS delegation, Dr. Remi Ajibewa, said they were in Nigeria for fact-finding ahead of the General Election as mandated by Articles 11, 12 and 13 of the ECOWAS protocol
The delegation also met with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Inspector-General of Police, and civil society.
