EU Deploys Observation Mission For Nigerian Poll

The European Union has appointed Maria Arena as Chief Observer European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria for the General elections.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission announced the appointment today.

The elections are scheduled for 16 February and 2 March 2019.

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. The

EU has consistently accompanied
electoral processes and deployed an EOM to Nigeria’s general elections since 1999,
reflecting its long-term commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive
elections in the country.

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. ”

The Chief Observer, Maria Arena, declared: “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.

Later in January the Core Team will be joined by 40 long-term observers who
will be deployed across the country.

The European Union’s Election Observation Mission looks forward to cooperating with other international and domestic observation
missions.

Shortly after both election days, the mission will issue preliminary statements at press
conferences in Abuja. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral
processes, will be presented at a later stage, after the finalisation of the electoral
process.