Edo, Ondo Elections: INEC Accredits 134 Domestic, Foreign Organisations To Observe Polls

Commission received 153 applications and strictly applied its regulations and guidelines in arriving at a decision and selection of the 134 observers.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that it has accredited a total of 134 domestic and foreign organisations to observe the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) of the electoral umpire, Mr. Sam Olumekun, who made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday said that 10 out of the total accredited organisations are international observers, while 124 are domestic.

Olumekun said that the Commission received 153 applications and strictly applied its regulations and guidelines in arriving at a decision and selection of the 134 observers.

According to him, the classification of the organisations showed that 28 are gender-based, three are representing Persons with Disability, eight are faith-based, while 10 foreign and over 100 other domestic organisations are working in areas relevant to the functions of INEC, adding that most of them have previous experience of election observation.

Olumekun said the next step “Is for the accredited organisations to upload the personal details and photographs of their field observers to our (INEC’s) dedicated portal established for that purpose.”

He said the Commission will on Wednesday July 17, 2024 organise a one-day training for representatives of observer groups at the Commission’s Conference Room, Abuja at 10.00am.

Olumekun added that the Access Code to the portal and letters of accreditation will be given to representatives of the accredited organisations at the training venue.

According to him, “Details of the one-day training as well as the comprehensive list of all the 134 accredited groups have been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for action by the concerned organisations and for public information.”