The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Nigeria’s April 2011 elections marked a significant and welcome improvement over previous elections. Since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, the quality of elections had progressively declined. Instead of following this pattern, the April 2011 elections were seen as among the most credible the country has ever held. Independent international and domestic observation groups noted that despite numerous challenges, including persistent election-related violence in parts of the country, the results of these elections reflected citizens’ choices at the ballot box. The majority of the country’s polling stations functioned properly, the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) demonstrated greater transparency in the ballot counting process and results were posted at polling units for the first time. These factors contributed to citizens’ confidence in the election results.

• Election Commission Head, Observers Highlight Progress and Remaining Challenges in how Nigeria Conducts Elections»

Despite positive improvements in election management, violence was a major problem during the April elections, especially following the presidential poll. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 800 people died during the 2011 election cycle. The most widespread violence occurred in Northern Nigeria in the days following INEC’s declaration that incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan had won. While the elections were overall judged as credible and a marked improvement over previous polls, there were reports in some parts of the country of ballot box stuffing, vote buying and voter intimidation.

NDI Programs

Since Nigeria's 1998-99 transition from military to civilian rule, NDI has worked closely with Nigerian democrats to support the development of the country's nascent democratic institutions.

Citizen Engagement in Political Processes

Following the 2011 elections, NDI began assisting citizen groups as they advocate for electoral reform to improve electoral laws before the next general election. A number of prominent civic groups and political parties attended an electoral reform conference in September 2011, where they prioritized recommendations and committed to advocate for those reforms. Several of these groups have now formed a coalition to advocate for change. NDI is also supporting a citizen group to monitor the adjudication process for individuals involved in electoral offenses during the April 2011 elections.

To understand the causes of the youth-led large-scale violence that erupted immediately after the presidential election, NDI helped a Nigerian conflict resolution organization hold focus groups and interviews with youth and community leaders in six northern states. The findings will better inform political elites, civil society, election authorities and security services on youth views of the root causes of post-election violence, their main grievances, the incentives for decision-making, political affiliation, methods of mobilization among youths and ways to prevent recurrence of youth-led violence. NDI is also working with citizen groups to help youth engage more in the political process outside the election cycle. In addition, NDI partners are using innovative technologies and tools to educate young Nigerians on how to engage with their elected representatives and contribute to the governance of their country.

Strengthening Electoral Processes

Strengthening Nigeria's electoral processes has consistently remained a main goal of NDI's programs. NDI has trained domestic election monitors and deployed international observers for every general election since 1999.

• Observing the 1998-99 Nigeria Elections, Final Report»
• NDI International Delegation to Observe Nigeria's 2003 Elections»
• Preliminary Statement of the NDI International Election Observer Delegation to Nigeria's National Assembly Elections»
• Statement of the NDI/Carter Center Pre-election Delegation to Nigeria»
• Second Report by NDI and The Carter Center on the 2003 Nigerian Electoral Process»
• Nigerian Election Watch 2003, Issues 1-5»
• Statement of NDI's International Election Observer Delegation to Nigeria's Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections»
• Nigeria's April 12 Elections Unfolded More Positively Than Expected, But Concerted Steps Must Be Taken If The 2003 Elections Are To Be Credible»
• Domestic Monitoring of Nigeria's 2003 Elections: A Report on NDI and Partners' Participation»
• NDI Sponsors International Pre-Election Delegation to Nigeria»
• Statement of the NDI International Pre-Election Delegation to Nigeria»
• Nigerian Election Watch 2007, Issues 1 -5»
• Statement of NDI's Election Observer Delegation to Nigeria's Presidential and National Elections»
• Extraordinary Measures Needed to Restore Credibility and Confidence in Nigeria's Electoral Process»
• Final NDI Report on Nigeria’s 2007 Elections»
• Statement by Kenneth Wollack Before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, "Nigeria at the Crossroads"»
• Keynote Address Given by NDI Delegation Co-Leader Joe Clark: Nigeria Post-election Analysis»

During the 2011 elections, NDI fielded a comprehensive and long-term international observation mission. NDI fielded a pre-election assessment team in October 2010 and 12 long-term international observers from January to May 2011. NDI also deployed 50 international observers for the National Assembly polls and 30 for the presidential election.

• NDI Delegation Finds Encouraging Developments and Significant Hurdles as Nigeria Prepares for 2011 Elections»
• Statement of the National Democratic Institute Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Nigeria's 2011 Elections»
• Election Commission Chair Pledges Best Effort to Improve 2011 Nigeria Elections»
• Nigeria Election Watch 2011, Issues 1-3»
• NDI International Election Mission to Observe April 9 Nigerian National Assembly Polls»
• Despite Problems, National Assembly Elections Give Nigerians a Real Chance to Vote, NDI Mission Finds»
• NDI Delegation to Observe April 16 Presidential Election in Nigeria»
• Nigerian Elections Hold the Promise of Setting New Integrity Standard, NDI Mission Finds»
• Statement of NDI's International Election Observer Mission to Nigeria’s April 16 Presidential Election»

The Institute provided financial and technical assistance to two coalitions of Nigerian civil society organizations that deployed more than 30,000 Nigerian domestic election monitors for the 2011 general elections. NDI’s partnership with one coalition, Project Swift Count (PSC), included the use of a statistical observation method known as parallel vote tabulation (PVT), or “swift count,” which the group used to verify the accuracy of the official results for the presidential and four gubernatorial elections. With NDI’s support, PSC established a nationwide system to collect and analyze information from observers at a representative sample of polling units in every local government area in the country. With NDI’s assistance, PSC also carried out a PVT for the Kogi state gubernatorial election in December 2011 and verified the accuracy of that poll’s official results. The Institute will also provide support for the group to conduct PVTs for gubernatorial races scheduled for 2012.

• Coalition to Monitor Vote for Better Elections in Nigeria»
• Nigerian Citizen Observation Groups Boosts Confidence in Registration Exercise»

A second NDI-supported coalition, the Domestic Election Observation Groups, collected rapid-response, detailed incident reports from around the country using text messages that allowed the group to alert appropriate government officials of problems during the April polls. The Institute also provided technical assistance to the organizers of presidential debates and worked with civic groups to conduct issue-based voter education programs that provided more than 100 million Nigerians with detailed information on the voting process and fostered discussion about candidate selection based on their policy platforms. NDI continues to support civil society groups’ voter education campaigns ahead of gubernatorial elections in 2012.

• Film Urges Nigerians to 'Activate the Power of their Thumb'»

Legislative Strengthening

In 2009, NDI concluded a six-year legislative strengthening program to enhance the ability of the National Assembly to legislate effectively and conduct oversight of the executive branch. NDI also assisted civil society organizations in improving their advocacy skills and their ability to seek accountability from the legislative and executive branches.

• Program Helps Nigerian Civic Groups Find Footing With National Assembly»
• Government and Opposition Workshop: Roles, Rights and Responsibilities»
• Representatives from the Nigeria Governor's Forum Delegation Visit NDI»
• An Appropriations Toolkit for the National Assembly of Nigeria»
• Budget Oversight Discussed at NDI/World Bank Institute Seminar»
• Strengthening Links Between the Nigerian National Assembly and the Pre-Communes on Poverty Reduction Implementation and Monitoring»
• African Legislatures Work to Promote Extractive Industry Accountability»

NDI's current program in Nigeria is jointly funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development.

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:

Abuja
Carlo Binda, Senior Resident Country Director
+234 9 413 2761/62/66

Washington, D.C.
Gemima Neves, Senior Program Manager (202) 728-6343
 

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