INEC Warns Observers: Accreditation For Edo/Ondo Elections May Be Revoked

INEC Warns Observers: Accreditation For Edo/Ondo Elections May Be Revoked

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Wednesday, July 17, that accreditation for election observers for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections can be revoked at any time.

During a training session for election observers, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Election and Party Monitoring Committee, stressed that any observer group violating the Code of Conduct for observers, as detailed in the Guidelines for Election Observation on the INEC website, will lose its accreditation.

He also clarified that the commission does not provide any funding for observers’ accreditation.

Olumekun expressed concerns about the integrity of election observation, stating, “While many observer groups in the country are trustworthy, objective, hardworking, and credible, some have shown a lack of commitment to the integrity of the election process.”

The training session aimed to familiarize accredited observer groups with the online processes for uploading field observers, the functionality of BVAS, codes of conduct for election observation, Election Day procedures, and other commission operations and innovations in preparation for the forthcoming elections.

The upcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are being conducted off-cycle due to the end of the governors’ tenures.

Olumekun reported that INEC received 153 applications from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the two elections. Following review and assessment, 134 groups (124 domestic and 10 international) met the accreditation requirements.

The accredited groups include 28 gender-based, 3 representing persons with disabilities, 8 faith-based, 10 international, and over 100 others involved in areas relevant to the commission’s functions. While most organizations have prior election observation experience, a few are first-time observers.

Accredited observer groups will be granted access to observe all election processes as outlined in INEC’s Reviewed Regulations and Guidelines. Organizations must obtain access codes and the number of field observers from the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department to process the online submission of field observers, uploading their names and passport photographs for Identity Card issuance.

Observers are expected to submit credible reports within the stipulated timeline, contributing to the enhancement of INEC’s operations and the consolidation of democratic principles.

Hauwa Habib, Acting Director of Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), emphasized the importance of election observation in any democratic setup and stressed the need for observers to stay updated with rules, regulations, processes, and procedures.

She noted that the commission’s selection and registration process for observers requires organizations to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as trustees covering election-related activities, and the 134 accredited groups have met this requirement. She also advised some observers to update their records with the CAC.