EU Deploys Record Number of Observers for Anambra Governorship Election
The European Union has launched its largest-ever civil society-led observation mission for a Nigerian state election, with 687 observers deployed to monitor the upcoming governorship election in Anambra state on Saturday.
Working through the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, seven major implementing partners have established a Unified Election Observation Hub in Anambra State to ensure coordinated monitoring of the electoral process.
The participating organizations include The Kukah Centre, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), ElectHER, and TAF Africa. These partners will collaborate to produce a comprehensive election assessment from multiple perspectives.
The observation teams are strategically organized into specialized clusters focusing on different aspects of the election. These include election integrity verification, disability inclusion with dedicated sign language interpreters, gender participation monitoring, media coverage and misinformation tracking, peace-building initiatives, and logistics observation.
“This unprecedented deployment will provide a comprehensive, multi-faceted view of the election that would be impossible for any single organization to achieve independently,” the EU cohort stated. The observers will collect data across all thematic areas to create a detailed, verifiable picture of the electoral process.
Prior to the election, the EU-SDGN programme facilitated the signing of the Anambra Election Peace Accord, securing commitments from all candidates and political parties. The programme also released a Joint Pre-Election Assessment Report containing 66 specific recommendations to enhance electoral credibility, voter access, and institutional preparedness.
Each implementing partner brings specific expertise to the mission: The Kukah Centre focuses on peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue, while Yiaga Africa leads election observation efforts. IPC and CEMESO concentrate on media monitoring and combating misinformation. NWTF and ElectHER promote women’s political participation, and TAF Africa advocates for disability rights and inclusive electoral practices.
The EU-SDGN, funded by the European Union, continues its mission to strengthen democratic processes in Nigeria through civil society engagement, emphasizing the importance of credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.
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