Several months after the 2023 general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worry that some Civil Society Organisations accredited to cover the elections which took place on February 25 and March 18, were yet to submit their reports.
Similarly, the commission said some of the CSOs which also covered the off-cycle, bye-elections and rerun polls were also yet to submit their reports to INEC.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with the CSOs in Abuja on Wednesday, chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, acknowledged that some of them had, however, submitted their observation reports, adding that some of the commission’s innovations were drawn from the recommendations made by the CSOs in their reports.
Yakubu stated that the commission would continue to partner with the CSOs, reminding those yet to submit their observation reports that it was mandatory to do so being one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections.
The INEC boss maintained that henceforth, the commission would operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation.”
“I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). We appreciate the observations and recommendations contained in your election observation reports. Some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years draw from your observation reports.
“However, while many of you have submitted your reports, some accredited observers are yet to do so for the general election, supplementary elections, off-cycle elections, bye-elections and re-run elections.
“May I, therefore, seize this opportunity to remind those that are yet to submit their observation reports that it is mandatory to do so being one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections. Going forward, the Commission will operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation”.
On the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states, Prof Yakubu said, “For Edo state, 18 political parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission.
“Going by the provision of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, political parties have 20 days from 4th March 2024 to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.
“As at this morning, eight parties have done so. We expect the other parties to do so before the deadline of 6pm on 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down. Thereafter, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 for public scrutiny as required by law.
“Turning to Ondo state, political parties will commence their primaries for the governorship election in the next two weeks.
“Sixteen political parties have indicated interest in participating in the election. I urge Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to engage with political parties and observe their primaries just as you engage with INEC and deploy observers to the main election conducted by the Commission.
“By doing so, you will strengthen your advocacy for inclusivity for groups such as women, youths and Persons with Disability (PwD) that are under-represented in elective offices at national and state level.”
