Statement by the African Union Observer/Monitoring Team on the 2003 Presidential, Gubernatorial and National Assembly Elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Office of AU Observer/Monitoring Mission to the General Elections in Nigeria April 2003

At the invitation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in pursuance of the Agenda of the African Union, with regard to respect for the basic principles of democracy, good governance, popular participation and the protection and promotion of human and peoples rights as well as in general, in implementation of the Declaration on the Principles Covering Democratic Elections in Africa, the Interim Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, sent a 21-Member team of Observers/Monitors to participate in the Presidential, Gubernatorial and National Assembly Elections in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which were held on 12 April and 19 April 2003. The AU Observer/Monitoring Team is led by Prof. Abdoulaye Bathily, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal.

Pre-Election Observation/Monitoring Activities

1. On 3 April 2003, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held a briefing session for international observers to inform them on the status of preparedness, provide relevant information pertaining to their participation in the elections and to offer an opportunity for questions. Indeed, questions raised by the observers, particularly by the AU delegation ranged from the registration of voters, issues related to voters' cards, flashpoints and security, prevailing fuel shortages and the location of polling stations.

2. The African Union (AU) observation team, in concert with other international and domestic observer groups, held several meetings, to exchange views on the national assembly elections, compare notes on their observations, the conduct of elections as well as possible areas of co-operation in the Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections held on Saturday, 19th April 2003. Beyond these interactions, the AU observer team, led by Prof Abdoulaye Bathily, met with political stakeholders, including Major General (Rtd.) Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate for the ANPP, and President Olusegan Obasanjo, the incumbent president and presidential candidate for the PDP.

3. Prof. Bathily exchanged views with the key stakeholders regarding problems discerned in the national assembly elections and discussed areas that required further improvement to instill credibility and transparency in the electoral process in order to re-assure the people of Nigeria of their right to elect the leaders of their choice.

4. One important point, which was emphasized, was the hope that the outcome of the elections as part of the democratisation process in Nigeria will set the pace, not only for its people, but also for the African continent at large.

5. Throughout the period of its observation mission, the AU held several press conferences to brief the media on its programmes and preliminary observations.
The Deployment of the AU Observation Team

6. The 21 AU member team were deployed to six (6) zones namely: Kano/Kaduna/Jos in the North; Port Harcourt, in the South; Enugu in the East; and Lagos in the West.

7. The teams were able to hold discussions with, amongst others, INEC officials, incumbent governors, key political stakeholders, the media, women's groups as well as domestic and international observers in order to make an assessment of the political conditions prior to the elections.
General Comments on the Polling/Verification/Counting/Tallying of the Vote

8. The AU team was impressed by the INEC's response to areas of concern previously raised by it with respect to the early distribution of electoral materials, the opening of the polling stations and improvements in the polling stations organisation for the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections. The timely action by INEC on these issues of concern made a difference.

9. The AU wishes to re-emphasise its appreciation for the commitment of the Nigerian voters to the success of the electoral process.

10. Although the process of verification appeared to be adequate, there is a need for further improvements in the number of trained polling station officials required at each polling station, the training of party agents, the effectiveness of the voter education programmes, the compilation of the voters' list and a general re-visit of the voter identification system. In addition, improvements are required in the areas of counting, collation, reconciliation and the securing of ballot boxes logistics and the provision of a level-playing field for political parties in order to enhance the credibility of future elections.

11. The AU Team noted the political competitiveness and participation that has characterised these elections. However, the delegation noted with concern, the tendency by political parties, to secure political activities such as rallies, using the services of private security firms. This may lead to the proliferation of ammunition and violence in electoral activity.
Sentiments of Thanks/Appreciation

12. The AU team wishes to express its sincere appreciation for the excellent working atmosphere created by the Federal Government of Nigeria, INEC and all political stakeholders.

13. On the whole, the elections of 19th April 2003 were conducted in a congenial atmosphere that offers Nigeria the opportunity to strengthen the democratic process and good governance. It is the hope of the AU delegation that stakeholders in future elections will endeavour to consolidate and deepen the culture of tolerance and peace in order to make democratic transition a sustainable process.

14. The AU delegation takes the opportunity to congratulate both the winners and losers for participating in these important elections and urges any aggrieved party to fully utilise the existing legal mechanisms to deal with any matters of disputes.
15. The final report of the AU Team will underscore details of observations of the electoral process in the Nigeria General Elections.

Issued on 22 April 2003 by the AU Observer Team in Abuja, Nigeria