Nigeria

Poll workers use a box as a makeshift desk to check a voter's registration card against the voters' list. Photo courtesy Bolanle Asimolowo/IFES.

Email | Print | RSS | Share

What Made Nigeria’s 2011 Elections So Effective

June 06, 2011

This past April, Nigeria received accolades from national and international observers for the implementation of its national elections.

Elections

Nigerians Vote in Multiple National Elections

May 26, 2011

Nigeria held a series of nationwide elections in April 2011, beginning with National Assembly polls on April 9 and a presidential election on April 16. Elections for state governors were held on April 26 in most parts of the country but delayed until April 28 in two states due to violence following the presidential vote. After registering to vote in January and February, Nigerians underwent a voter accreditation process in the morning of each election day before casting their ballots in the afternoon. Despite the considerable security challenges, the polls were considered generally fair and credible by international observers.

Elections, Election Observation

Shopping for 21,220 lanterns in Nigeria

April 26, 2011

We began our search for 21,220 lanterns on Wednesday morning when we left Abuja for Lagos. We had received an urgent request from USAID the previous afternoon; the United States government wanted to support Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) by providing indelible ink markers and rechargeable lanterns for Saturday’s presidential election.

Elections

IFES Participates in Congressional Research Service Panel on Nigeria’s 2011 Elections

March 22, 2011

On March 18, Julia Hedlund, IFES Program Manager, participated in a Congressional Research Service panel titled “Nigeria's 2011 Elections: Prospects and Challenges to a Credible Vote.”  In addition to Nigeria, Ms Hedlund’s portfolio at IFES also includes Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Elections, Electoral Systems, Civic Education

IFES Observes Voter Registration in Nigeria

February 23, 2011

More than 65 million Nigerians registered to vote between January 15 and February 8 for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in April. IFES conducted unofficial monitoring in the southern and northeastern regions of the country in order to give feedback on the registration process and results to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. INEC experienced technical problems with the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines used to register voters and faced serious challenges deploying machines and registration workers across the country. However, at the end of the period, many civil society groups gave the exercise positive marks and Nigerians remained enthusiastic for the upcoming polls.

Elections, Voter Registration

Nigeria: Debating a New Voters Register Four Months before Election Day

August 25, 2010

Earlier this year, Nigeria held the world’s attention with the illness and subsequent death of President Umaru Yar'Adua. After his passing, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assumed the presidency. In January 2011, the tenure of the current presidency will expire and Nigeria will hold presidential elections to elect the country’s next leader.

Voter Registration, Elections, Education

IFES Regional Director for Africa on President Yar'Adua's Death

May 06, 2010

Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on the death of Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua on May 5, 2010. IFES joins the world in expressing its condolences to the people of Nigeria for the great loss of President Yar’Adua.

Civil Society, Elections, Democracy Assistance, Governance

IFES Begins a Program in Nigeria

April 23, 2010

IFES has begun a new project in Nigeria to help the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepare for the 2011 elections.

Political Finance, Election Management, Voter Registration, Election Disputes, Democracy Assistance

IFES Regional Director for Africa Comments on Nigeria's Electoral Reforms

March 30, 2010

Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on the electoral reforms approved by Nigeria's Senate on March 25, 2010.

Elections, Rule of Law, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems

The State of Democracy in Africa

September 23, 2009

As International Day of Democracy was celebrated on September 15th, many assessed the state of democracy around the world. Looking back at democracy in Africa since most sub-Saharan African countries gained independence 50 years ago, it is evident that democracy on the continent has endured a faltering journey.

Democracy Assistance, Elections, Election Disputes, Electoral Systems, Civil Society

Country In Brief

In preparation for Nigeria's 2007 elections, IFES provided technical assistance and strategic capacity building to the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and a range of CSOs and coalitions working on electoral issues. IFES also strengthened political party participation in the election by giving particular attention to party finances and the transpar­ency and accountability of political parties. Following the problematic elections, IFES monitored the election complaints tribunal process, initiated a conference to determine a plan for moving forward democratically, and assessed the impact of voter education through a national survey.

Learn More »

IFES e-NEWS

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter and event, publication and research announcements.