African Union launches election observation mission ahead of Nigeria’s poll
The African Union Commission (AUC) has announced the launch of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) ahead of the general elections in Nigeria scheduled to hold between February and spread to part of March.
Penpushing reports that a statement from the African Union(AU) headquarters said the short-term election observation mission comprises ninety members drawn from various member States comprising representatives of Election Management Bodies, Civil Society Organisations, Independent Experts, Women and Youth as well as African Union(AU) Organs, notably, the Pan African Parliament and Permanent Representatives Committee.
The statement added that African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) is supported by a team of experts from the African Union Commission (AUC), to be led by His Excellency Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya.
Penpushing further reports that the objectives of the Missions are to: provide an accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards for democratic elections.
The other objectives include offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings; and demonstrate African Union (AU’s) solidarity and support towards consolidation of democracy, peace, stability and development in Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that the statement stated that the Mission draw its mandate from various African Union(AU) instruments, most importantly the 2002 African Union Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions; the 2002 OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa;
The drawn mandate equally include 1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; and Aspiration number 3 of the African Union(AU) Agenda 2063, which aims to ensure an Africa of good governance, democracy and respect for human rights, justice and rule of law, among others.
Penpushing reports that the statement noted that as part of its observation process in Nigeria, the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) will engage with various stakeholders as well as observe the polling process.
The statement emphasized further that based on the findings, African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) will issue its preliminary statement on the electoral process on 27 February 2023 in Abuja.
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