The Role of Foreign Election Observers in Democratic Elections in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives Of Study
The objectives of this research are:
- To identify the role foreign observers played in the 2015 presidential elections in Nigeria.
- To identify the challenges faced by foreign election observers in carrying out their duties.
- To identify the effect of having foreign observers on election grounds have on the conduct of elections.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Within the last decade, democracy can arguably be said to be the most sought after and yet the least understood system of government known to mankind. The collapse of the authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe, the end of the cold war and an upsurge of natural agitations in many parts of the world seem to have opened the flood gates for new definition of the concept of democracy. (Tunde Babawale 2007:37) Schumpeter. J. (1943:15) defines it as an institutional agreement for arriving at political decisions in which individual acquires the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for people’s vote.
Dahl, R (1956:22) advances the argument further to make it inclusive of high level of civil liberties participations, and political pluralism. To sum up, what characterizes democracy, it has also been defined as “the government of the people by the people and for the people” (Edson Howard, 1960:11). It is clear from all these definitions that democracy has certain empirical referents which may be identified as follows: meaningful competitions among individuals and organized groups, especially the political parties for all the elective positions of government power, at regular intervals and excluding the use of force, a high level of political participation in the selection of leaders and policies at least through regular and fair elections, and a level of civil and political liberties, freedom of expression freedom of the press, freedom to join organizations, sufficient to ensure the integrity of political competition and participation.
Democratic Consolidation
“Literacy, the concept means an identifiable phase in the transition from authoritarian rule to civil rule and by extension of democratic systems that are germane and fundamental to the establishment and enthronement of a stable, institutional and enduring democracy. Democratic consolidation therefore calls for the enthronement of democracy as a system of organizing both societies and government and creating concomitant institutions. Essentially, arriving at a consolidated democracy require nurturing democratic values, ethics, principles and institutions in a mature sense that prevents a revert to hitherto authoritarian regime.” (Diamond Larry, 1997:7). This is also about test on successful transfer of power and democratic survival within a period of time. Therefore, Nigeria as a nation cannot shy away from the tenets of democratic consolidation. The players and supporters must abide by the poll verdict.
Election monitoring
Over the past decade, international monitoring and observation of election have increasingly become a necessity in the democratization processes in Nigeria and other developing countries. Whilst it can be argued that international monitoring exercise are not an entirely new development in Africa (Obi and Abutudu, 1999:21), it is fair to maintain, however, that electoral monitoring and observation have, in recent years becomes something of a “growth business” (Geisla, 1993:46-47) especially in African countries that are in the process of transforming their political systems from military or one party dictatorship to multiparty democracy. Beyond Africa, however, elections have also been monitored in Europe, South America and Asia, in developing and industrial societies, as well as open and closed economies (Stack, 1993:21-22). Indeed, a number of well-known organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Organization of American states, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, as well as individual country such as United State of America, France and Britain have all been involved in this practice; as are various non-governmental organizations, notably among which are the Carter Center, the International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
The study on “Role of Foreign observers in the consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria: A case of 2015 presidential election is an exploratory design study. It is also an action oriented project, and content analysis in character. The study is an academic intellectual exercise in the area of political science administration that requires careful study and proper documentations of issues that makes (or) mar democracy process in Nigeria. The survey on the conduct of 2015 presidential election cut across different geo-political culture in Nigeria. The paper is on need for Nigeria to take democratic elections serious, because without peaceful transition to democratic rule, Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful development. This make the study timely and prime importance.
Research Location and Coverage Area
The study took place in Nigeria between March– May 2015, the study cover Eighteen states out of Thirty Six state of Nigeria. (Pre-Election arrangement and Post Election Situation).
This paper covered the following eighteen states:
South West: Lagos and Oyo and the Ekiti State, South East: Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi State, South-South: Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Riverss State, North East: Adamawa, Gombe and Borno State, North Central: Benue, Niger and Plateau State, North West: Sokoto, Kano and Katstina State. (2000 people from each of the state chosen.
Sampling Techniques
The study adopted cluster sampling techniques because of the nature of the research study which is political administration in nature, and the respondents are located in different states. The researcher and the team of assistants used. Questionnaire Opinion polls and also conducted Interviews with some political actors especially members of four major political parts in different capital cities of Nigeria. The political parties are People’s Democratic Party, All Progressive Congress, Labour Party and Advance Progressive Grand Alliance. The researcher also corroborates its findings with secondary sources that is extraction of information from text books, conferences, seminars, and symposia on presidential elections in Nigeria. The paper also benefitted from the Independent Electoral Commission report on previous elections in Nigeria particularly 2011 presidential election. This is with the view to determining whether 2015 presidential election is fair and better than the 2011 presidential elections.
Research Instrument
In view of the nature of research study and in order to get to the root of discussion; the research study used four instruments. Namely:
- Questionnaire Opinion Polls
- Interview Survey
- Secondary Publication materials and the
- INEC Documents
A Sample Population of 2000 people were taken and evenly distributed across the eighteen states of Nigeria. The target groups are students of higher institutions, public servants and literate traders and the artisans in the states earlier mentioned. The population sample is limited to this number because of cost and time factors. The researcher also consulted the work of other scholars as a base for which to start the study. The Questionnaire was carefully administered through selected local government areas in the 18 states.
CHAPTER FOUR
GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THE FOREIGN OBSERVERS ACTION, ROLE AND ASSISTANCE IN THE NIGERIA 2015 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Nigeria Election has come and gone but the role of the Foreign observers in ensuring democratic consolidation in Nigeria will linger in the memory of Nigeria people and the African Union in particular because of the premier position which Nigeria occupy in the African Continent. The observer teams also have become credible pillar for the management of global elections and ensuring that states conform with the universal best practices. The global electoral principles have become a useful guidelines for performance judgment. Furthermore, understanding the internationalization of elections is now of research interest in democratization and democratic transitions since 1999 and academic discourse.
ACTION: The Foreign observers came to Nigeria to assist the Federal Government in actualizing her political objectives and ascertain the degree of preparation for 2015 presidential elections, under the Independent National Electoral Commission. The extent to which the preparation has conformed to the international standard. The provision and supply of ballot papers, compilation of voters registers, the conduct of the polls, vote counting, announcement of the result and the election process. The international monitoring teams arrived in Nigeria in early February for registration and accreditation with the Independent National Electoral Commission. The observers also repositioned themselves when the Federal Government shifted the election from February 11, 2015 for security reasons. They monitor the election, collated their results and finally made some pronouncement on the conduct of the election. Below is the summary of the monitoring team observations.
ROLE: Federal Government Assistance: To ascertain the government financial assistance toward the conduct of the election is commendable.
Voter Readiness: They discovered that Nigerians are actually ready and willing to perform their civil responsibilities.
INEC PREPARATION: It was discovered that the electoral commission introduced of permanent voters card (PVCs) nationwide. This was a major problem for citizens and the political parties. The Electoral Commission did not have the wherewithal to print the voter cards. The electoral materials were produced outside the country, and there was late arrival of the items. The organization did not recruit enough staff for the administration of the voters.
Security for Voting Materials: The voting materials were given adequate security nationwide. The materials did not falls into wrong hand.
Card Reader: Some of the Card Reader introduced for bio-metric data verification of eligible voters could not function on the election date. There was delay and the commission had to revert to manual accreditation of voters. The card reader failed for some of the polling stations in the following states; Lagos, Rivers, Imo, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Kwara, Anambra and Ogun states.
Distribution of Election Materials: The monitoring teams found out that election materials arrive late in some polling station, thereby delaying the early registration and peaceful conduct of the elections.
General Assessment: Foreign observers gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission for a vast improvement in the preparation and conduct of 2015 Presidential election. This is in relation to preparation of revised voters list, security for the ballot papers, election materials and introduction of new devices, such as card reader machine and permanent voters card that minimized electoral fraud and manipulation of results. The foreign observers also commended them for registering 68.3 million people under political pressure and skepticism from the political parties. And for also putting in place data bases in each state and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and at the national level in Abuja. The data base captured names, photos and local government, address, date of birth and finger print of the prospective voters.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION=
CONCLUSION
The 2015 presidential elections has come and gone, the memory will chalked up linger on in mind of political parties, local and foreign observers and particularly the Nigerian voter that made the election free and fair. This is not discounting the roles played by the Independent National Electoral Commission and International Monitoring Observers that came to observe the election and ascertain its conformity with international best practice and credibility. Their effort, action and roles are commendable. Their overseeing the election and the acceptance of the results without rancor and acrimony, has chalked up Nigeria’s stature in the African Continent.
The Foreign observers role made Nigeria Government realize that the state cannot compromise with democracy while democracy and good governance are sine quanon for Nigeria’s growth and development. To a reasonable extent, the Nigeria 2015 presidential elections did conform to tenets of democracy such as ‘Transparency’, free conduct of elections, freedom of movement during the election, counting of votes and announcement of result, and choice of contesting the election result at the Elections Tribunal. The Foreign observers role shows that they are partner in progress and their action and assistances are commendable in the history of democracy and election management in the continent.
On the whole, Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) has done well, likewise, the national security operatives. Also, Nigerians that troop out to vote enmas and made change possible deserve commendation for the success of the 2015 Presidential elections. And, the foreign observers for a job well done for taking their time, energy and courage to travel around the country and ensure that the election was actually free and fair in line with tenents of democracy. The Electoral Commission should be praised for new ideas introduced into the electoral process, especially the Smart Card Reader and the replacement of Temporary Voters Card with the Permanent Voters Card. This also added value to the electoral processes. The culture should be sustained in the 2019 Presidential election. Above all, kudos go to the former President Gooodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat and congratulating the president elect, General Muhammedu Buhari. Finally, election shape the destiny of a nation and determine the way changes and progress flow, under the watch of international observer, it deserves to be taken serious. Therefore, Nigeria as a member of international Community cannot ignore the comments, observations and report that emanates from foreign observers because they are umpire that gives verdict to the credence of democracy around the world.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This paper proffers some recommendation to stretching the practice of democracy and consolidation in Nigeria under three sub-heading namely: Political parties, State, INEC and Foreign observers role.
- Political Parties Membership Enlightenment: The behaviour of political party’s members still leaves much to be desired, hooliganism, thuggery and destruction of public property still happened in 2015 presidential election. Therefore, political parties need to educate voters and parties supporters on how to behave and conduct themselves during the political campaign.
- State and federal government support: the state government need to work in tandem with local government areas to ensure that voters registration list is ready and submit the same to the state electoral office before the electoral commission deadline. This will minimize pressure on the INEC in preparing the master list for election.
- The Federal Government of Nigeria should also ensure that budget prepared by the electoral commission is approved and fund released to the organization six months before the elections commence.
INEC Action: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) need to take cognizance of the constraints encountered in the conduct of 2015 presidential election and put in place measures to forestall the mistakes of the future presidential elections.
Registration of Voters: This should be a continuous process as people become eligible for universal adult suffrage.
Collection of PVC’s: More centres should be created in the states for easy collection of the permanent voters cards (PVCs). It should be every year and collection within two weeks.
Employment of Ad-hoc Staff for Election: There is need to employ more staff to cope with the General conduct of Election. The Electoral Commission should organize training for them at least six weeks before the election date. This would enhance their competence and performance during the election.
Readers Machine: The INEC office should ensure that it is tested before being dispatched to the polling stations.
Security of INEC Personnel and Election Materials: In the future elections, military Police should be engaged at the polling units and collation centres instead of Nigerian Police.
Collaboration with International Organization: To ensure credibility of national election in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) need to work with International Monitoring team and Implement their advices on genuine election in Nigeria.
Funding of Election: The national government should ensure that budget for the presidential election is approved and released in time for the electoral commission.
Electoral Reform Law: The national assembly needs to fortify the electoral commission by approving enabling bills that will make the organization truly independent and remove it from the control of the presidency. The Nigeria Electoral Law Reform Panel recommendations headed by Justice Muhammed Uwais should be looked into with a view put into use in the future election.
Advance Dialogue and Peace Pact: Democracy has now become a dominant theme in the international discourse while the role of the international observer is also a first to reckon with therefore the international monitoring team most encourage political gladiators to dialogue and sign a peace pact towards free and fair election.
The way forward: charting the way forward, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) need to take cognizance of the constructs encountered in the conduct of 2015 presidential election and put in place measures to forestall the mistakes of the future presidential elections.
Registration of Voters: This should be done one to two years ahead of the election.
Collection of PVCs: More centres should be created in the states for easy collection of the permanent voters cards (PVCs). It should be every year and collection within two weeks.
Voters Education: Sustainable, continuous civic and voters education in local languages in the rural areas is necessary and important.
Employment of Adhoc Staff for Election: There is need to employ more staff to cope with the General conduct of Election. The Electoral Commission should organize training for them at least six weeks before the election date. This would enhance their competence and performance during the election.
Card Reader Machine: The INEC office should ensure that it is tested okay before dispatch to the polling stations.
Security for INEC Personnel and Election Materials: In the future elections, military Police should be engaged at the polling units and collation centres instead of Nigeria Police.
Collaboration with International Organizations: To ensure credibility of national election in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) need to work with International Monitoring team and implement their genuine advices on election in Nigeria.
FUTURE RESEARCH STUDIES
Party Politics, Elections and Democratic consolidation has become and International issues and concern of the global village. Nigeria 2015 presidential elections has revealed that some gap still need to be filled in the field of African politics and democratic consolidation. The areas that require astute attention of political scientists in future are:
- Parochial culture towards politics and new participation by the middle class in Nigeria.
- The Electoral reform Acts to strengthen the independence of National Electoral Commission in Nigeria, and conduct of fraud free elections.
- The use of National Election to promote National Integration in Nigeria, and the Money Politics and God fathomism sub version of Democracy in African states.
Future research studies will go a long way in finding durable solutions to political crisis associated with Election and democratic consolidation in African states and Nigeria in particular. It will ensure credible election and promote national development.
REFERENCES
- Babatunde Babawale (2007), “Nigeria in the Crises of Governance and Development”, Concept Publication, limited , Ikeja Lagos, p:53.
- Attahru M. Jega (2011) Nigeria’s 2011 Presidential elections: The International Dimension and Challenges, Lecture Series No.89 Published by Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos Nigeria, p.4
- Babatunde Babawale, Op Cit, p.37.
- Schumpeter Joseph, (1942) “Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy”, London; Rontledge Press, Great Britain, p.15.
- Elson Howard, (1960) “Concept of Democracy as Defined by Abraham Lincoln”, Britannica Encyclopedia, London, p.11
- Diamond Larry, (etal) (1997) Politics in Developing countries, London, Lyno Reinner Publishers Great Britain, p.7.
- Dahl, R. (1956), “Democracy and its critics”, New Haven: Yale University Press, p.22.
- Obi, Cyril and Musa Abutudu, (1999), “Election observer” in Oyeleye Oyediran and Adigun Agbaje (eds.) Nigeria. Politics of Transition and Governance, 1986-1996, Dakar: CODESRIA Books, p.21.
- Geisela, Geisela, (1993), “Fair? What has Fairness Got to Do With It? Vagaries of Election Observations and Democratic, p.46-47.
