Report of Election Observation Crucial for Poll Analysis – INEC Chairman

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the submission of reports by election observation groups are important for reviewing and improving the commission’s processes and procedures.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made the statement during the second quarterly meeting with Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said the submission of reports from previous accreditation in the manner required by the Commission is mandatory for continuous participation in election observation.

Prof Mahmood noted that though many accredited observers have submitted their reports a few are yet to do so. He urged them to do the needful.

Application

Prof. Mahmood noted that as the commission inches closer to election day in Edo State, “it is also imperative to remind the CSOs of the need to submit their applications for election observation in earnest along with the required supporting documents and a realistic number of individual observers.”

Doing so to him, will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for observers in good time”.

He emphasized that “The Commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested observer groups or process applications that do not meet the criteria”.

Update

The INEC Chairman gave an update on activities ahead of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in Southern and south-west Nigeria to include Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) simultaneously in the two states from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 between 9.00am and 3.00pm daily including the weekend to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.

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Prof Mahmood said that “Similarly, those who are registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the states. Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise”.

He reiterated that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration.

Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal, noting that registration is at the ward level and the commission’s State headquarters.

“This means that there will be 192 ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State in addition to our State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two States. There will be no online pre-registration option in the two States” he said.

Appeal for early registration and PVC collection

Prof, Mahmood appealed to the CSOs to join the commission in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline date approaches when registration centres will be inundated by eleventh-hour registrants.

He also appealed to them to assist the commission in encouraging voters who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), to do so.

Prof Mahmood said the Commission will also make available the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR. The list of uncollected PVCs will be published in the commission’s offices in the two States and simultaneously uploaded to the INEC website.

“We believe doing so will make it easier for voters to collect their PVCs. However, no PVCs will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards”.

He announced that the Commission has published the final list of candidates for the Edo Governorship election following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

While commending the CSOs for monitoring and submitting reports of the campaigns in the past, Prof. Mahmood informed them that campaigns in public by political parties commenced on Wednesday 24th April 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 i.e. 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

He also informed them about the vacancies in the National and State Assemblies caused by either the death or resignation of members involving three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency in four States across the country and that as soon as preparations are concluded, the Commission will announce the dates for bye-elections.

The Edo State Governorship election will be held on Saturday 21st September 2024 while the Ondo Governorship election will be held on Saturday 16th November 2024.

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh