(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2618253/ForumPhotos/INEC%20Nigeria.gif)In order to ensure transparency, credibility and impartiality of all elections held in Nigeria through neutral and independent observation of electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission is pleased to issue the following Procedures and Criteria for Accreditation of Observers
In the Procedures and Criteria for Election Observations, the following terms and expression, mentioned in this document, shall have the definitions therein, unless the context determines otherwise.
INEC: Independent National Electoral Commission.
Observation: The gathering of information regarding the electoral process, without intervening in the process itself and issuing comments and reports on the conduct of the process and the basis of information collected by persons accredited by INEC for such mission.
Headquarters: INEC headquarters in Abuja.
- Election Monitoring and Observation Committee (EMOC): The Committee established by INEC to manage and administer all observation, registration and accreditation processes.
- Chairman INEC: Chief Electoral Officer of Nigeria.
- Accreditation Card: An identification card issued by INEC that qualifies the person to whom it is issued to participate in the election process as an accredited observer.
- The Electoral Process: All processes related to the implementation of all phases of the electoral cycle, such as voter registration, registration of political parties, candidate nomination, polling, counting of votes and compilation of results.
- Eligible Bodies: Bodies that are eligible to apply to INEC to participate in the observation of the Electoral process.
- The Contact Person: The person designated by the Eligible Body to receive and submit all documents and correspondence from, or to, INEC and sign all documents needed for the accreditation process.
- Code of Conduct: The Code of Conduct for Observers issued by INEC.
The Right to Observe the Electoral Process- Who can apply?
The right to observe the electoral process is safeguarded by law. This right may be exercised through registration and accreditation for observation granted by INEC.
INEC will register eligible bodies as Observation Groups. Only observers who are part of an observation group registered by INEC will be accredited and permitted to observe the electoral process.
Accredited international observers shall adhere to the code of conduct for observers and shall enjoy the rights provided therein.
The following bodies shall have the right to apply to observe the electoral process;
A. International Organizations
B. Representatives of foreign missions
C. Nigerian organizations
D. Any other body deemed to be qualified by INEC
Procedural Rules:
When to apply?
1. The period of application is open but the deadline is 30 working days prior to Election Day.
2. The Election Monitoring and Observation Committee (EMOC) shall process applications for observation as soon as they are received.
How to apply?
1. Application forms (EMOC 01) are available at INEC website (www.inecnigeria.org). The forms shall be returned to the EM&OU Office in Headquarters.
2. Eligible bodies applying for observation shall be responsible for making sure that application forms and relevant attachments are completed and sent to the correct address.
3. When an application is successful, the eligible body will be registered by INEC as an Observation Group.
4. The Observation Group may then submit names of proposed observers for accreditation by INEC on EMOC 02 to be collected at the EM&OU Office.
5. A full deployment plan with names of members/location of assignment shall also be submitted.
The Application for Registration for Observation Teams shall contain the following information;
1. Name, address and contact details of the eligible body.
2. Name of the head of the eligible body and evidence of similar past experiences.
3. The type of activity covered by the body and evidence of similar past experiences.
4. Name and contact details of the contact person delegated by the body.
5. In case of international groups, the date for the arrival of the members as well as the number of members in the team.
6. Official/Registration documents etc.
The following documents shall be annexed to the application form;
1. A completed Authorization form for the Contact person, identifying him or her as representative of the eligible body, to receive and submit all documents and applications required and signing all necessary documentation.
2. A completed Pledge of Observers for each observer, including name, nationality, date of birth and passport information. Each pledge will be signed by the proposed observer to confirm the receipt of sufficient training from the observation body and to pledge to abide by the INEC Code of Conduct for Observers.
3. Two recent passport size photographs for each proposed observer and a copy of the proposed observer's passport or formal ID card issued by the observation body. The back of each photo should contain the observer's name and the name of the eligible body to which he/she belongs.
4. Any other document that may help the group towards accreditation.
The Authorised Committee
a. EMOC is the Authorised Committee established to manage and administer applications for electoral observation.
b. EMOC shall examine all applications for observation and submit its recommendations to INEC regarding the approval of registration of eligible bodies as Observation Groups and the accreditation of their members or rejection of the applications stating the reason in a clear manner.
c. INEC shall approve or reject the recommendations submitted by EMOC.
d. EMOC shall notify the representative of the body of the decision.
e. Pursuant to INEC's approval, EMOC shall issue the necessary accreditation cards and shall maintain a data base of all accredited observers.
Accreditation Cards
INEC observer cards shall include the following details;
1. INEC Logo
2. The name of the observer
3. The name of the body he/she represents
4. A recent photo of the observer
5. The validity of the card
6. INEC official stamp
7. Serial number of the card
The Contact person receiving the cards shall sign a document confirming receipt of accreditation cards on behalf of the observation body, and will deliver the cards to all accredited observers.
Why Reject an Application?
Application shall be rejected if submitted after the deadline for submission or when applications submitted are incomplete, inaccurate or submitted by an ineligible body. Applications shall also be rejected when the eligible body does not meet the conditions provided for in relevant INEC regulations, procedures or the Code of Conduct.
The accreditation of an observer shall be revoked in the event that his/her name is repeated in any of the accreditation list of observers. Also an observer shall not be accredited in the event he/she does not fulfill the conditions provided in this document or in the Code of Conduct or he/she is less than 18 years old.
Revocation of Registration/Accreditation
INEC may revoke the accreditation of any observer in the event he/she (i) violates the provisions of the regulations, procedures or code of conduct for observers (ii) obstructs the electoral proceeding (iii) ask voters about their voting preferences while observing at polling stations.**
Rights of Observers
a. Each observation group is entitled to get a copy of the code of conduct and a package of basic information issued by INEC.
b. Accredited observers have the right to observe all phases of the electoral process with access to all registration/polling and collation centres.
c. Accredited observers have the right to obtain information from electoral authorities at all levels.
d. Accredited observers have the right to issue public observation reports and statements concerning the progress of the electoral process.
e. Accredited observers enjoy freedom of movement throughout Nigeria.
Duties of Observers
a. Wear the accreditation badge in a visible manner.
b. Behave neutrally at all times and refrain from engaging in partisan activities or activities beneficial to any of the political parties or candidates.
c. Do not display, wear, or carry any logos, colours, symbols identical or similar to those of any political party or candidate.
d. Refrain from exerting influence on voters.
e. Undertake duties without interfering in or disrupting the election process.
f. Refrain from making personal or premature comments about electoral observation to the media or other interested bodies.
g. Abide by the instructions of INEC officials at the registration/polling and collation centres.
h. Do not infringe on the privacy of registrants and voters, do not observe any voter marking the ballot, and do not record any personal details relating to registrants or voters, such as their names or the names of the candidates or parties they voted for.
Facilitation of Observation
- All INEC staff members, each one within his/her respective limits of responsibilities, shall facilitate the mission of the international observers and enable them to exercise their powers as provided for in the regulations.
- The Observation Group will provide all logistics support to the deployment of its accredited observers to observe the electoral process.
Source: PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION OF OBSERVERS (http://www.inecnigeria.org/procedures-and-criteria-for-accreditation-of-observers/)