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'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited a diverse range of observer groups for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. This move is part of the Commission's ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral process.
In a press release dated July 15, 2024, INEC announced that out of 153 applications received from interested organizations, 134 groups met the accreditation requirements. These include 124 domestic and 10 international organizations.
The accredited groups represent a broad spectrum of interests and expertise. Notably, 28 gender-based organizations and three representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have been accredited, highlighting INEC's commitment to inclusive electoral oversight. Additionally, eight faith-based organizations, 10 international observers, and over 100 other groups with relevant experience in election observation will participate in the monitoring process.
Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, emphasized the importance of this diversity in the observer groups. "The inclusion of gender-based and PWDs organizations underscores our dedication to a transparent and inclusive electoral process that considers all segments of society," Olumekun stated.
The next step for the accredited organizations involves uploading the personal details and photographs of their field observers to INEC's dedicated portal. To facilitate this, the Commission has organized a one-day training session for representatives of the observer groups. This training is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at INEC's Conference Room in Abuja. During this session, representatives will receive access codes to the portal and letters of accreditation.
Further details of the training and the comprehensive list of all 134 accredited groups are available on INEC's website and social media platforms.
This accreditation process and the inclusion of diverse observer groups reflect INEC's commitment to upholding the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process in Nigeria.
