.. Reminds CSOs to submit observers list
By: Mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chairman Mahmood Yakubu, has charged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that have been cleared to observe the forthcoming Edo Governorship election on the need to submit their list.
Yakubu said only 33% of the expected 2,660 observers have so far uploaded their details.
The CSOs have till Wednesday 31 July 2024 to complete the registration process.
The Edo State election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21st, 2024.
Yakubu spoke at the third regular quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs on Tuesday 30, July 2024.
The INEC boss urged them to ensure they meet the deadline so as to receive accreditation tags in good time.
He said: “As the Edo State Governorship approaches, I wish to remind CSOs to submit the list of your observers by uploading the required information, including photographs, to the dedicated portal.
“As at yesterday, Monday 29th July 2024, 56 organisations have uploaded the details of 894 observers for the Edo State Governorship election representing 33.6% of the expected 2,660 observers.
“ The deadline is Wednesday 31stJuly 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down at 6pm.
“ I urge you to ensure that you meet the deadline so that the Commission can produce the accreditation tags and deliver them to you for distribution to your observers in good time.”
He also promise to look into the request for additional slots by some observers, this he said, “the Commission will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis depending on the organisation’s previous experience, size, capacity and record of compliance with the guidelines and code of conduct for election observation.”
He therefore reminded them of their “obligation as observers to comply with the objectives of election observation and the Code of Conduct contained in the Commission’s rules of engagement for accredited election observers.”
Yakubu also declared that the commission will publish the final figures of new voters in Edo State and their distribution by gender, age, occupation, and disability by the end of this week.
He said,”Before the end of this week, the Commission will publish the final figures of new voters in the two States as well as their distribution by gender, age, occupation and disability.”
He also said that “the timetable for the collection of uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registration, and new registrants from the latest CVR, will be published.”
