INEC Issues Call For Election Observers For Upcoming By-Election – Application Details Inside

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended an invitation to civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) interested in monitoring the upcoming February re-run and by-election….CONTINUE READING

The acting Director of Electoral Party Monitoring (EPM) at INEC, Hauwa Habib, based in Abuja, released a notice outlining the application process.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications through the online portal (http://observergroups.inecnigeria.org) by January 17.

Habib stressed that this initiative is open without prejudice to any prior communication with the Commission. She highlighted that the designated application form (EC14A(l)) is the only accepted method for application.

In her statement, Habib specified that observer groups should provide additional information, including legal status (registration with CAC), evidence of registration with the Civil Society Desk at INEC-Headquarters, and documentation of any previous election observation with INEC.

Any falsification of documents in the submissions will result in automatic disqualification and possible prosecution.

The deadline for application submission is January 17, 2024. Successful observer groups approved for accreditation will be published on the commission’s website and the EPM observer’s WhatsApp platform.

Habib clarified that the by-election and re-run elections are scheduled in two senatorial districts, four federal constituencies, and three state constituencies across nine states of the Federation.

These elections are organized based on directives from various election petition appeal tribunals arising from the 2023 general elections.

She pointed out that 35 constituencies are currently affected by these court-ordered elections, with three covering entire constituencies and others involving only a few polling units.

Both categories of elections are set to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday, February 3.