Edo/Ondo/future polls: INEC vows to adopt ‘no observation report, no accreditation’ policy for monitoring

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to

henceforth adopt ”no observation report, no accreditation’ policy in the accreditation of election monitors in future polls.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu made the threat at a quarterly meeting with leaders of

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Yakubu noted with sadness that about a year after the 2023 general elections, some accredited observers were yet to submit their monitoring report to the commission.

The INEC Chairman specifically revealed that some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the commission over the years were drawn from the observation reports.

He reminded the leaders of the CSOs that submission of observation report is mandatory, and is one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections.

According to him, “I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). “We appreciate the observations and recommendations contained in your election observation reports.

“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 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 declared.

The INEC Chairman stated that political parties wishing to participate in the November 16 Ondo State governorship election will soon commence their primaries, and called on CSOs to engage with the parties to observe the primaries.

“By doing so, you will strengthen your 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,” he added.

Prof. Yakubu nonetheless assured that INEC would continue to partner with the CSOs and appreciated the observations and recommendations contained in their election observation reports.