As the 2015 electoral cycle begins, political competition has increased and Nigeria’s regional and ethnic tensions are on the rise. USAID supports electoral and political processes through targeted assistance to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, domestic election observation efforts, and political party development. Current USAID elections assistance includes a focus on non-violence acknowledging that the 2011 elections were the most violent in Nigeria’s history with 800 fatalities in three days and over 65,000 displaced.