Ex-South African President, Thabo Mbeki leads election observers for 2023 polls

Barely few days to the 2023 general elections, Commonwealth Observer Group has assured Nigerians that it would independently observe and assess the polls across the country without down playing objectivity and impartiality. 

The Former President of Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group, Thabo Mbeki gave the assurance at a press briefing organised by the body to intimate the media on the arrival of the group.

He said one of the objectives of the observer group is to assess the level of election credibility in accordance to the standards for democratic elections to which Nigeria has committed itself, including the constitutional framework and national legislation as well as Commonwealth and other international commitments. 

According to him, “As we undertake this assessment and conduct our duties, we will be objective, independent and impartial.”

Mbeki further disclosed that the Group will meet with the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to learn more about preparations for polling day. 

His words: “We will deploy our observers to different parts of the country, to observe the campaigning, voting, counting and results process, having taken into account the need to receive briefings from relevant stakeholders, including representatives of political parties, the government, independent institutions, Commonwealth high commissioners and various civil society organisations, including groups representing gender, youth and people with disabilities.

“The Commonwealth has a long tradition of supporting the country’s democratic development through election observation. This will be the seventh time a Commonwealth Observer Group will be observing elections in Nigeria, since 1999”. 

“Our Commonwealth Observer Group has been in Abuja since 18 February. Our mandate is to observe and assess the pre-election period, activities on polling day and the post-election period. Throughout, we will consider all factors relating to the credibility of the electoral process.

“Among other aspects, we will consider whether the conditions exist for credible elections; and whether the voting process is transparent and inclusive”. 

Mbeki further disclosed that the Commonwealth Observer Group has no executive role as their function is not to supervise but to observe the process as a whole and to form a judgment accordingly.

“We are here in our individual capacities as eminent and experienced Commonwealth citizens. As such, our assessment will be our own and not that of any Commonwealth member government or organisation.

“Following election day, we will deliver an interim statement, which provides our group’s preliminary assessment of the electoral process, at a press conference on 27 February in Abuja. More details of the press conference will be shared by the staff team supporting the Observer Group in due course.

“Upon completion of our assignment, we will submit our recommendations in a report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, who will forward it to the Government of Nigeria, the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission, the leadership of political parties taking part in the elections, and then to all Commonwealth governments. The report will be made public afterwards.”

Sepaking on the mandate before his team, Mbeki said: “When we make our observations known, our intent is to offer constructive support to help strengthen the democratic culture, processes and institutions in Nigeria.

“In doing so, the Commonwealth Observer Group will make recommendations to the authorities concerned on institutional, procedural and other matters as would assist the holding of such elections in future.

“This month’s elections will be Africa’s largest democratic exercise as it is clear that the outcomes of the elections will be significant not only for Nigeria, but also for the entire continent.”

Mbeki however called on all stakeholders concerned in Nigeria’s electioneering process to uphold the value of commitment to ensure a peaceful and inclusive election in such a way that the Nigerian people are able to freely exercise their franchise, with the fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly fully respected.