A former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has arrived in South Africa for the May 8 elections.
The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, EISA, announced the arrival of its election observation mission, EOM, led by Jonathan to observe the country’s national and provincial elections.
A statement issued by the South African-based EISA ahead of the May 8 elections quoted former President Jonathan of stating that the polls would provide another opportunity for people of the country to exercise their voting right and deepen the roots of the nation’s democracy.
The statement quoted Jonathan as saying on arrival that, “It is a great pleasure for me to lead the EISA election observation mission to the 2019 national and provincial elections in South Africa.
“These elections which come in the 25th year of South Africa’s democratic journey are of great importance as they provide another opportunity for South Africans to exercise their right to vote and thus support the country’s democratic consolidation.
“The EISA EOM seeks to contribute to the integrity of the electoral process through its findings and recommendations.”
According to the statement, Jonathan-led observer mission which has Mr. Denis Kadima, EISA’s Executive Director, as the deputy mission leader is comprised of 37 international observers drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Election Management Bodies (EMBs), and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) from 16 African countries.
It is the fifth EOM to be deployed by EISA in South Africa since the 1999 elections.
It added that, “EISA observers will be deployed in 18 teams to all the nine provinces of South Africa to observe the last days of the electoral campaigns, pre-polling activities, special voting, and Election Day and post-polling activities.
“On 10 May 2019, the EISA EOM will issue a statement on its preliminary findings and recommendations on the electoral process.
“The EISA EOM is in South Africa at the invitation of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa, to conduct an independent assessment of the electoral process and contribute to its integrity through its findings and recommendations.
“These elections are the sixth to be conducted since the end of Apartheid and the adoption of the 1996 Constitution.
“They coincide with the 25th anniversary since the country held its first elections by direct universal suffrage, marking a critical milestone in the country’s democratic journey.
“A peaceful and successful election will therefore further cement the democratic gains made by the country over the past generation. EISA is pleased to be part of this historic moment in South Africa.”
