OFF- CYCLE ELECTIONS: INEC/ CSOs meet, as Commission accredits 145 organisations, to deploy 7,896 observers
Oru Leonard
As the three off-cycle Governorship elections to be held in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States on Saturday 11th November 2023 draws near, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has disclosed that the the Commission has accredited a total of 145 organisations and will deploy 7,896 observers to the three state.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu made the disclosure on Wednesday in his remarks during the third quarterly meeting between INEC and the Civil Society Organisations at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.
Professor Mahmood said BVAS used during mock accreditation involving actual voters in designated polling units in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States two weeks ago performed well and there has not been any adverse report.
“Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. In discharging our responsibilities, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders. One of such engagements is with the security agencies. In previous elections, civil society organisations have expressed concern about the safety of persons involved in elections as well as the protection of the process, including polling units and collation centres. Similarly, civil society organisations have on several occasions urged the Commission to intercede with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to voting and collation locations. I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three States. At the same time, I wish to remind all accredited observers to strictly adhere to the code of conduct for election observation.
“Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship elections are critical to the Commission. At this meeting, we will fully brief you about our level of preparations. In return, we will appreciate your comments and observations.”
Mahmood also said the review of the 2023 General Election report and the 2023 General Election report will soon be ready. “We believe the two reports will contribute to the ongoing conversations towards improving the future conduct of elections in Nigeria”, he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, the National Coordinator, Justice and Equity Organisation, Mr Kafunsho Tunde, pledged to contribute his quota toward credible electoral process in Nigeria.
Tunde further said that the CSOs would continue to play their roles in line with the rules guiding observer groups in future elections.
“We are grateful to God for the wonderful and excellent work INEC has been doing for this nation, which has been adjudged by the international community as one of the best in the world.
“We are grateful that adequate assurances have been given by the Commission to the observer group, both domestic and international, and we will play our roles in line with the electoral law and with support.
“It is our conviction that, amid the excellent work done during the 2023 general elections, the forthcoming off-cycle election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states will also be credible with transparent arrangements already on the ground by the Commission,’’ he said.
Babatunde urged the electorate in the three states to come out en masse to exercise their franchise and ensure that they voted for the candidates of their choices.
