Observer groups fail to submit report 24 months after 2023 general election

…says No Observation Report, No Accreditation”.

By Tunde Opalana

More than 24 months after the 2023 general election, some accredited observer organisations are yet to submit reports to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in his remark at the opening of the first stakeholders quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of the Civil society organisations at the INEC secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday.

He, however , warned that adequate submission of report of previous election observation will henceforth be criteria for accrediting observers for subsequent polls.

Prof. Yakubu said “while many of you have submitted your reports, some accredited observers are yet to do so for the general election, supplementary elections, off-cycle elections, bye-elections and re-run elections.

“May I therefore seize this opportunity to remind those that are yet to submit their observation reports that it is mandatory to do so being one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections. Going forward, the Commission will operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation”.

Meanwhile, he said the Commission appreciated the observations and recommendations contained in their election observation reports, saying “some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years draw from your observation reports.”

The chairman reassured the groups that INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

He urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to engage with political parties and observe their primaries just as they engage with INEC and deploy observers to the main election conducted by the Commission.

“By doing so, you will strengthen your advocacy for inclusivity for groups such as women, youths and Persons with Disability (PwD) that are under-represented in elective offices at National and State level,” he said.

Responding on behalf of others, Mrs. Mufuliat Fijabi, Executive Director of Sustainable Gender Action Initiative agreed with INEC that other organisation that are yet to submit their reports should do so while also agreeing that submission of report should be a criteria for further engagement.

She commended the Commission for partnering effectively with members of the civil society in deepening the nation’s democracy.