INEC warns observer groups to adhere to rules

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday warned election observer groups that their accreditation for the Edo and Ondo governorship polls could be revoked anytime if found violating its code of conduct.

On Monday, The According reported that 134 international and local observer groups were accredited by INEC.

The classification of the accredited groups showed that 28 are gender-based, three represent persons with disability, 8 are faith-based, 10 international and over 100 others working in areas relevant to the functions of the Commission.

Speaking at a training session for election observers in Abuja, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Election and Party Monitoring Committee, Sam Olumekun, said for the groups to retain their accreditations they must adhere to the rules.

He said, “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 the INEC website.

“I need to, however, bring to your attention that your accreditation may be withdrawn at any stage of the election process if it is established that your organisation is violating the Code of Conduct for observers as contained in the Guidelines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

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

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

Olumekun said, “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 trustworthy, honest, objective, hardworking and credible observer groups in the Country 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 the integrity of the entire process.”

The Acting Director of Election and Party Monitoring, Hauwa Habib urged the groups to update their records with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Habib said, “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 as trustees whose areas include covering elections 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 and we urge your group leaders to select observers who are interested in the job and properly trained to ensure that their observation and reporting are in line with the guidelines of the Commission.”