By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned that henceforth there would be no accreditation for any Civil Society Organisation who failed to submit it observation report after any election.
Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu issued the warning at a first quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs for 2024 on Wednesday in Abuja
He said, “Going forward, the Commission will operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation”
“I want to reassure you that INECINECINECine will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). We appreciate the observations and recommendations contained in your election observation reports”.
Yakubu tod them that, some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years were drawn from their 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”, he lamented.
‘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”.
He further announced that Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in Onfo state in the next two weeks and that 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”
He noted that by doing so, they will strengthen their 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.
“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”, he added..
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