Edo/Ondo guber: INEC threatens to withdraw accreditation of any observer group who violates code of conduct

By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned the

134 groups accredited to monitor the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States’ governorship elections that their accreditation may be withdrawn at any stage of the election process if they violate the code of conduct for observers.

An INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Election and Party Monitoring Committee, EPMC, Mr Sam Olumekun gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja in his keynote address at the pre-election workshop with election observers on Edo and Ondo governorship polls.

The Edo State gubernatorial election is scheduled to hold on 21st September this year, while that of Ondo State is fixed for November 16, 2024.

Olumekun specifically declared that the accreditation extended to the organizations as observers for the two off-cycle elections could be withdrawn if it is established that any of them is violating the Code of Conduct for observers as contained in the Guidelines for Election Observation available on INEC website.

He equally reminded that the accreditation of the organizations to observe the elections is without financial obligations on the Commission.

In the words of the INEC National Commissioner, “As accredited Observer Groups, you will be allowed access to observe all the election processes as outlined in the Commission’s Reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections (available at INEC website: www.inecnigeria.org).

“Your organization is required to obtain access code (Accreditation Number) and number of field observers to be deployed from Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department to enable you process the online submission of your field observers on LGA-by-LGA basis by completing the required Forms online.

“You are to do this by uploading the names and passport photographs of your field observers to enable the Commission issue them with Identity Cards.

“I need to however bring to your attention that your accreditation may be withdrawn at any stage of the election process, if it is established that your organization is violating the Code of Conduct for observers as contained in the Guidelines for Election Observation available on INEC website.

“Again,you are to be reminded that the accreditation of your organization to observe the elections is without financial obligations on the Commission.

“Another serious issue with election observation which has been of concern to the Commission is the issue of integrity in Election observation.

“While there are quite a number of trust worthy, honest, objective, hardworking and credible observer groups in the Country and who have contributed greatly to deepening democracy and the electoral process in Nigeria over the years, there are still others who have continued to display laxity about election observation and have cared less about integrity of the entire process.

“While wishing you all successful outings in the two elections, we urge you to endeavour to submit credible reports within the stipulated time line.

“It is also the Commission’s expectation that the outcome of your observation

will continue to enhance our operations and furter consolidate democratic principles in the years ahead”, Olumekun stressed.

In her welcome address at the ceremony, the acting Director, Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), of INEC, Barr Hauwa Habib explained that the Commission’s process of selection and registration of observers is strictly on the provision that the organization is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as trustees whose areas include covering election and the registered 134 of you here have passed the test.

According to Barrister Habib, “Election observation is an integral part of election globally. It is in the interest of any democratic set up that observers are updated with rules and regulations; processes and procedures.

“The Commission’s process of selection and registration of observers is strictly on the provision that the organization is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as trustees whose areas include covering election and the registered 134 of you here have passed the test.

“From the records available to us at the Commission it is noticed that some of you will need to update your records with the CAC.

“The importance of observers as stakeholders in the development of election processes and procedures can not be overemphasized and we urge your group leaders to select observers who are interested in the job and are properly trained to ensure that their observation and reporting are in line with the guidelines of the Commission.

“A good number of you have submitted good reports with pictures. However, a greater number have submitted reports that cannot be said to be properly reported.

“The implementation of your recommendation has gone a long way in the processes and procedures of doing election”, she disclosed.