Out of 159, only 50 observer groups submitted reports – INEC


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to all accredited observers (domestic and foreign) to submit their reports in earnest to enable it aggregate their cumulative recommendations in the ongoing evaluation of the 2019 general election. 
According to the commission, out of the 159 groups accredited to observe the 2019 general elections, less than 50 domestic and foreign observer groups have submitted their reports. 


Chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made this appeal on Tuesday at the meeting with civil society organizations on the review of the 2019 general elections.
Yakubu stated that only forty-two (42) domestic observer groups have submitted their reports representing only 26% of the 120 accredited groups. 

“A critical component of the requirements for accreditation of observers is the submission of reports and recommendations in the format provided for in Chapter 5 of the Commission’s guidelines for election observation. 
“So far, less than 50 domestic and foreign observer groups have submitted their reports. More specifically, only forty-two (42) domestic observer groups have submitted their reports representing only 26% of the 120 accredited groups. 
“The Commission wishes to appeal to all accredited observers (domestic and foreign) to submit their reports in earnest so that we can aggregate their cumulative recommendations in our ongoing evaluation of the 2019 general election.”
The INEC boss stated that 159 groups deployed 73,562 observers (71,256 domestic and 2,306 foreign). 

He stated that Nigeria is the first country in Africa to accredit Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as election observers, pledging for continuous support to the Albino Foundation and all other organisations representing persons living with disabilities.
A very important dimension to election observation is the effective participation and deployment of observers representing persons living with disabilities. 
The Commission appreciated the commitment of CSOs over the years to deepening our democracy. Not only have you been working with the Commission, you have also been partners in promoting necessary reforms to strengthen electoral integrity in Nigeria.

He said the commission has benefited from the various suggestions and recommendations of the CSOs arising from regular quarterly meetings and the election observation reports. 

Yakubu said, “As a result, our work on voter education and enlightenment has intensified; inclusivity mechanisms for women, youths, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have expanded; technology has been deployed for registration and accreditation of voters and the confirmation of registration status; new approaches to the training and deployment of ad-hoc election personnel have been introduced; robust conversations on the reform of the electoral legal framework have been undertaken; and online incident reporting platforms have helped in the prompt resolution of critical challenges, including the easy identification and location of polling units by voters in the 2019 general election.”

The INEC chairman said the meeting is aimed at Identifying successes in the 2019 General Elections with a view to consolidating and sustaining them.

Other thematic areas include to highlight operational issues and challenges and making recommendations for addressing these in future elections; andidentifying critical areas for legal and administrative reforms, among others.

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