By Jude Opara, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said a total of 2,660 domestic and international observers would be accredited to monitor the September 21 governorship election in Edo state.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the hint on Tuesday at the Third Regular Quarterly Consultative Meeting of the Commission with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
However, the INEC boss said with 52 days to the election, only 56 organizations and 894 observers which represents only 33.6% of the population have uploaded their names.
“As the Edo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind CSOs to submit the list of your observers by uploading the required information, including photographs, to the dedicated portal. As at yesterday, Monday 29th July 2024, 56 organizations have uploaded the details of 894 observers for the Edo State Governorship election representing 33.6% of the expected 2,660 observers. The deadline is Wednesday 31stJuly 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at 6pm. I urge you to ensure that you meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your observers in good time”.
He also said the Commission has delivered additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to the State for the training of election duty personnel as well as contingency for Election Day support.
Yakubu further revealed that once again INEC has published the final list of candidates in compliance with the recent Court Order mandating it to replace the running mate to the candidate of the Labour Party.
He added that with the conclusion of the CVR, the voter register would soon be displayed for claims and objectives.
“Following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the display of the register for claims and objections by citizens, and further data clean-up using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), the final register for the forthcoming Governorship elections is being finalized.
“Before the end of this week, the Commission will publish the final figures of new voters in the Edo and Ondo states as well as their distribution by gender, age, occupation and disability. Thereafter, the timetable for the collection of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registration, and new registrants from the latest CVR, will be published. Based on the information provided by the Commission, we look forward to your partnership in encouraging citizens to collect their PVCs”.
He urged the observes to always remember their obligation to comply with the objectives of election observation and the Code of Conduct contained in the Commission’s rules of engagement for accredited election observers.
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