The European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2023 (EU EOM) is led by Chief Observer Barry Andrews, a Member of the European Parliament from Ireland. The mission will comprise around 80 observers from 25 EU member states as well as Norway and Switzerland.

A Core Team of 11 election experts arrived in Abuja on 11 January to analyse the political, legal and media aspects of the entire electoral process. 40 long-term observers will deploy throughout Nigeria towards the end of January, to cover all 36 states. The mission will be reinforced with short-term observers for election days.

The EU EOM will remain in Nigeria until the completion of the Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections scheduled for 25 February, as well as the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections scheduled for 11 March.

The EU EOM will observe and assess:

• The legal framework and its implementation
• The impartiality and the performance of the election administration
• The degree of an open and fairly contested campaign, campaign finance
• The role of state institutions and civil society
• The universal franchise afforded to voters, especially to women, youth and vulnerable groups.
• The conduct of the media, including social media; access for political parties and candidates to state and private media
• The use of election technology in the electoral process and the result management system
• Voting, counting and tabulation, as well as the announcement of the results
• The complaints and appeals process

The EU applies a consistent methodology for observing elections. Observers do not interfere in the electoral process and have no authority to change or correct any shortcomings. All EU election observers are bound by a strict code of conduct and ethical guidelines that guarantee their neutrality. The EU EOM seeks to enhance public confidence in the electoral process without interfering in the conduct of elections in any way or validating its results.

The mission operates in accordance with the declaration of principles for international election observation adopted at the United Nations in 2005 by a number of international bodies involved in election observation.

The EU EOM will present a preliminary statement within 48 hours after election day. This statement however is delivered while critical stages of the process remain, including the tabulation of the official results, and adjudications of petitions. A comprehensive final report as well as recommendations for future elections will be presented approximately two months after the conclusion of the entire electoral process.