Local and international Observers monitoring the Osun State off-cycle gubernatorial election have been tasked to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act in performing their duties and to avoid reporting unverified information.
Director General, Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) and Team Lead for INEC Observers, Kunle Yusuff, made the call during a Joint Operational briefing between INEC international and local observers held in Osun State.
Yusuff, in a statement, said the group cautioned civil society organisations and election observers to refrain from reporting unverified information and to work with security agencies for security purposes.
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“At the meeting, clear directives were issued to all local observers to strictly abide by the provisions of the Electoral Act in the discharge of their duties. All organisations were further cautioned to refrain from reporting unverified information.
“A directive was also issued that all observers must work in close collaboration with security agencies for safety and security purposes,” he said.
Yusuff emphasised that all observers are on national assignment; as such, Nigeria’s interest must be given paramount attention in the quest for democratic development.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Association of World Peace Advocates, an INEC International Observer, represented by Amb. Emmanuel Nkweke stated that “security arrangements for the election must be anchored on fairness, justice, and equity.”
