By Balarabe Oshiafi
In appreciation of the important role election observers play in quality election management, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organized a workshop for accredited observers.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and voters education committee, Sam Olumekun who presided over the workshop at the Commission headquarters said the it is to enable them (accredited observers) “to be well acquainted with the online processes of uploading field observation; the functionality of BVAS, codes of conduct of election observation, election day processes and procedures as well as other operations, innovations and preparations of the Commission towards the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
While giving his opening remarks Olumekun drew observers’ attention to the timing of the approaching elections. and urged them to be so sensitized.
“The forthcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are being conducted as off cycle elections (that is, elections conducted outside the regular electoral cycle of the country) due to the end of tenure of the governors of the two States”, he said..
Giving further breakdown, the umpire stated, “By our records, a total of 153 applications were received from interested Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the two elections.
After review and assessment as provided by our Regulations and Guidelines, 134 groups (124 domestic and 10 international) met the requirements for accreditation.The classification of the accredited groups showed that 28 are gender based, 3 represent persons with disability, 8 are faith based, 10 international and over 100 others working in areas relevant to the functions of the Commission.
Most of these Organizations possess previous experiences of election observation. A few however, have been granted observation for the first time to offer them opportunities to observe the processes of election and enable them contribute their quota in assessing and improving democratic principles.
The Commissioner directed observers to ensure they obtain access codes to enter INEC websites for the right guidelines.
“As accredited Observer Groups, you will be allowed access to observe all the election processes as outlined in the Commission’s Reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections (available at INEC website: www.inecnigeria.org). Your organization is required to obtain access code (Accreditation Number) and number of field observers to be deployed from Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department to enable you process the online submission of your field observers on LGA-by-LGA basis by completing the required Forms online. You are to do this by uploading the names and passport photographs of your field observers to enable the Commission issue them with Identity Cards”, he said.
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