Arena appointed EU chief observer for Nigeria’s general election

Maria Arena has been appointed the Chief Observer, European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria for the general elections scheduled to hold on February 16 and March 2, 2019.  

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Press Officer, delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, Modestus Chukwulaka.

The statement read that the deployment of the Mission followed an invitation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“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”, the statement further read.  

“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,” it said.  

Arena, a member of the European Parliament who hailed from Belgium, said it was a great honour for her to lead the mission to the country.   

“I am hopeful that our observation will provide a meaningful contribution to the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria,” she stated.  

The mission core team of eleven EU election analysts was said to have arrived in Nigeria on January 4, and will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process. The team is expected to be joined later this month by 40 long-term observers who would be deployed across the country.