Appraisal of the Role of Electoral Observers/Monitoring Groups in the Conduct of Credible Elections in Nigeria

Abstract

This article focuses on the lessons that can be drawn from the previous general elections in Nigeria, with emphasis on the role of electoral observers / monitoring groups in ensuring the conduct of general elections. The paper relies on secondary data, sourced from journal articles, reports, and textbooks, among other archival materials and deploys qualitative content in analyzing so as to achieve the stated objective which is to appraisal the role of electoral observers / monitoring groups in the conduct of credible election in Nigeria. of the paper. It shows that the role of observers / monitoring groups serves as a boost to the integrity, and creditability of general elections in Nigeria. The groups also serve as mediators during an electoral dispute, as well as providing support logistics, and play the role of a watchdog in detecting electoral frauds. The paper revealed that the lack of wider coverage, accessibility, suspicion, and bias, remains obstacles to the group and finally, concludes that the activities of the electoral observers/monitoring groups would further ensure the integrity and credibility of the general election in Nigeria if the observed obstacles hindering their activities are removed.