We Will No Longer Accredit Observer Groups That Don’t Submit Reports – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will no longer accredit civil society organisations and other bodies as observer groups if they fail to submit their observation reports of previous elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the first quarterly consultative meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Yakubu said INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organizations, saying the commission appreciates the observations and recommendations contained in their election observation reports.

He said, “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 who 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.”

He said that for Edo State, 18 political parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission, adding that, going by the provision of the timetable and schedule of activities for the election, political parties have 20 days from March 4, 2024, to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.

Yakubu explained that eight parties have now filed their nominations.

“We expect the other parties to do so before the deadline of 6 p.m. on March 24, 2024, when the portal automatically shuts down. Thereafter, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) on March 31, 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 underrepresented in elective offices at the national and state levels,” he added.