INEC Commence Accreditation Of Observers For February 3 By-Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission has called Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations interested in observing the February rerun and by-election to apply through an online portal by January 17 at the latest.

In a notice released on Thursday in Abuja, INEC’s interim Director of Electoral Party Monitoring, Hauwa Habib, stated as much.

The organizations were advised by Habib to visit (http://observergroups.inecnigeria.org) and fill out the application.

She added that completing the required application form (EC14A(l)) remained the only method of application that was still accepted and that this was not in violation of any prior contact with the commission.

In order to observe the February rerun and by-election, Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations are encouraged to apply through an online portal by January 17 at the latest.

In a notice released on Thursday in Abuja, INEC’s interim Director of Electoral Party Monitoring, Hauwa Habib, stated as much.

The organizations were advised by Habib to visit (http://observergroups.inecnigeria.org) and fill out the application.

She added that completing the required application form (EC14A(l)) remained the only method of application that was still accepted and that this was not in violation of any prior contact with the commission.

 “Observer groups should particularly note that all other information including legal status (registration with CAC), evidence of registration with the Civil Society Desk at INEC-Headquarters, evidence of registration previous election observation with INEC (if any), acknowledgment of submission of reports of observation (if any) should accompany the application.

“Any falsification of documents in the submissions will lead to automatic disqualification and possible prosecution.

“The deadline for submission of application is Jan. 17, 2024.

“The list of successful observer groups approved for accreditation will subsequently be published on the commission’s website and EPM observer’s WhatsApp platform,” Habib said.

She continued by saying that there were openings in two senatorial districts, four federal seats, and three state constituencies spread across nine states for the by-election/rerun election.

She continued by saying that, under the orders of several election petition appeal tribunals, INEC is holding the by-election and rerun election that result from the general elections of 2023.

 “Currently, 35 constituencies are affected by these court-ordered elections, while three cover entire constituencies, others involve only a few polling units.

“Both categories of elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday February 3,” Habib added.

NAN