134 observer groups get INEC accreditation to monitor Edo, Ondo guber elections

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said a total of 134 observer groups have been accredited to monitor the governorship elections which will hold in Edo and Ondo States later this year.

The Commission in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the commission received a total of 153 applications from interested organisations, for this purpose.

Olumekun who is INEC National Commissioner, disclosed that out of the 134 accredited observers, 124 are domestic and 10 international groups.

“The classification of the organisations shows that 28 are gender-based, three representing persons with disability, eight are faith-based, 10 foreign and over 100 others working in areas relevant to the functions of INEC, most of them with previous experience of election observation,” he explained.

The National Commissioner stated that the next step would be for the accredited organisations to upload the personal details and photographs of their field observers to INEC’s dedicated portal established for that purpose.

He disclosed that the commission will organise a one-day training for representatives of observer groups on Wednesday, July 17 in Abuja.

“Access code to the portal and letters of accreditation will be given to representatives of the accredited organisations at the training venue,” Olumekun added.

He advised concerned organisations to visit INEC’s website and social media platforms for details of the one-day training as well as the comprehensive list of all the 134 accredited groups.