By: Mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned Civil Society Organisations, CSO that are yet to submit their observation report of the past elections stand the risk of being blacklisted.
INEC chairman,Prof Mahmood Yakubu said it imandatory for them to submit previous report of election monitored to qualify for future participation.
Yakubu also charged CSOs to engage politcal parties and aslso monitor their primaries.
He spokaton Wednesday in Abuja at the first quartly consultative meeting with CSOs ahead of Edo and Ondo Governorship election.
He said ‘’ I urge Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to engage with Political Parties and observe their primaries just as you engage with INEC and deploy observers to the main election conducted by the Commission.’’
He added, ‘’ We appreciate the observations and recommendations contained in your election observation reports. Some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years draw from your observation reports. “However, while many of you have submitted your report, 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”.
He however reassured the CSOs of INEC’s continued partnerdhip.
