By Joy Odor
The Chairman, Independent National Electroal Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has warned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who are yet to submit their observation reports and recommendations for the general election, supplementary elections, off-cycle elections, bye-elections and re-run elections.
INEC Boss therefore vowed that the Commission would operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation”, informing that some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years draw from your observation reports.
According to INEC Boss, this is the only way out and condition for any CSO going forward for eligibility to observe future elections in Nigeria.
Professor Yakubu gave the charge at the First Regular Quarterly Consultative Meeting with the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja on Wednesday.
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.
According to him, by doing so, they will strengthen their 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.
Prof Yakubu reassure them that INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as he appreciate the observations and recommendations contained in their election observation reports submitted by some.
“I am delighted to welcome you all to the first of our regular quarterly consultative meetings for the year 2024. Consultations with stakeholders remain critical to elections and electoral activities.
“As I have said on several occasions, there is no election season in Nigeria any longer. Elections are held all-year round between one general election and another.
“Our last quarterly meeting for the year 2023 was held on the eve of the three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States. Last month, bye-elections and re-run elections were held across the country for National and State Assembly constituencies.
“Even today’s meeting is coming in the middle of increased activities for the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. As you are aware, the Edo Governorship election is holding on Saturday 21st September 2024 while that of Ondo State is scheduled for Saturday 16th November 2024.
“This means that we have just six months to the Edo State Governorship election and only eight months before the Ondo State Governorship election.
“It is therefore appropriate to brief you on preparations for the two Governorship elections. For Edo State, 18 Political Parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission.
“Going by the provision of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, Political Parties have 20 days from 4th March 2024 to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.
“As at this morning, eight Parties have done so. We expect the other Parties to do so before the deadline of 6pm on 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
“Thereafter, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 for public scrutiny as required by law. Turning to Ondo State, Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks.
“Sixteen Political Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election” he said.