Ex-INEC Chairman Jega To Lead Election Observation Mission In Zimbabwe

• Prof. Attahiru Jega, former head of Nigeria’s INEC, to lead Carter Center’s international election observation mission in Zimbabwe
• The mission aims to assess electoral preparations, administration, participation, and adherence to democratic standards, following an invitation from Zimbabwean authorities

The Carter Center, known for its dedication to democratic processes, has announced that Prof. Attahiru Jega, a former chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will lead its pivotal international election observation mission in Zimbabwe.

The Carter Center launched its mission at the end of July, spurred by an invitation from Zimbabwe’s authorities and bolstered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s accreditation of its observers.

Reacting to the task, Prof. Jega said:

It’s an honour to lead the Center’s mission to observe Zimbabwe’s Aug. 23 harmonised elections.

I urge all Zimbabweans, including political party members, candidates and voters, to show their commitment to democracy and peaceful elections.

In addition, 15 long-term observers have arrived in Zimbabwe and will be strategically dispersed across the country during the first week of August.

The arrival of short-term observers on August 18 marks the final stage, as they will be dispersed across the country to meticulously oversee the polling, counting, and tabulation processes on election day.

The mission will assess electoral preparations and the electoral environment, including election administration, campaigning, women’s and ethnic minorities’ participation, social media, dispute resolution, and other aspects of the election process.

In carrying out its mission, the Carter Center strictly adheres to the 2005 Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.

Furthermore, its assessments are based on Zimbabwe’s domestic legal framework and adherence to regional and global obligations and democratic election benchmarks.

This includes the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, which the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe ratified in April 2022.

The Carter Center has been a trailblazer in the field of election observation since its inception in 1989. The Center, which has monitored over 110 elections in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the United States, made its presence felt in Zimbabwe in 2018 through an election expert mission.