By Balarabe Oshiafi
In furtherance of the desire to institutionalize credible elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday asked civil society organisations (CSOs) to be dutiful about turning in observation reports or jeopardize accreditation to observe future elections.
Wednesday was day two of the on-going stakeholders meeting taking place at INEC headquarters and it was the turn of CSOs to interact with the management of the electoral body.
After exchanging courtesies with National Commissioners,
Leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs),
Secretary to the Commission
Other Senior Officials of the Commission,
Members of the INEC Press Corps, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu identified CSOs as critical stakeholders and was succinct in stating that observation reports have become particularly value-adding as “there is no election season in Nigeria any longer”.
ExpressDay Newspaper’s investigation reveals that what has really obstructed the election schedules of INEC is the inordinate ambition of some political office seekers to clinch powers at all cost and the incidences of court cases that often arises therefrom. And this gives credence to the position of the electoral body that election observers should finish up their work by turning in reports that will enrich election management stratagem.
Yakubi told the audience, “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”.
Referring to Edo election as a fulcrum for testing it’s level of improvement, INEC said, ” 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.
Closely following Edo election is the governorship election of the contiguous Ondo State and about it, the INEC Boss stated,” 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. 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. 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”.
Overall, the import of Wednesday’s interaction with CSOs was to urge all of them to turn in their reports to forestall being delisted from monitoring future election.
No Comments