The Impact of Foreign Election Observers on Nigeria’s 2015 and 2019 General Elections

Abstract

This study examined the impact of foreign election observers on Nigeria’s 2015 and 2019 general elections. The study was anchored on Democratic Theory, which emphasises political participation, electoral transparency, accountability, political equality and the credibility of electoral processes. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 84,004,084 registered voters in Nigeria, from which a sample size of 400 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained from academic publications, INEC reports, official election documents and reports of international election observation missions. Data were analysed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The study found that foreign election observers contributed positively to electoral transparency, with 71.79% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that their presence enhanced transparency. The findings further revealed that 51.28% of respondents believed that reports by foreign election observers influenced post-election electoral reforms, particularly in areas such as voter registration and result transmission. The study also found that 61.54% of respondents rated the influence of foreign election observers on voter confidence as high or very high, while 56.41% believed that their presence improved electoral credibility. However, the effectiveness of foreign election observers was constrained by insecurity and electoral violence, logistical limitations, restricted access to remote areas, language and cultural barriers, political hostility, and inadequate institutional cooperation. The study concludes that foreign election observers made important contributions to electoral transparency, voter E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 confidence, electoral credibility and post-election reform efforts in Nigeria’s 2015 and 2019 general elections, although their impact was limited by operational and institutional challenges. It recommends expanded observation coverage, greater consideration of observer recommendations by electoral institutions, and stronger public engagement by foreign election observation missions.

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