Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said just 42 out of the 159 accredited observer groups for 2019 general elections have submitted their reports on the poll.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu revealed this today in Abuja at the commission’s meeting with the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the review of the 2019 poll.
He said that a vital part of the requirements for accreditation of observers was the submission of reports and recommendations.
His words, “So far, less than 50 domestic and foreign observer groups have submitted their reports. More specifically, only 42 domestic observer groups have submitted their reports representing only 26 per cent of the 159 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.
“Today’s meeting is not a substitute to observers’ obligation under our guidelines”
“Collectively, these groups deployed 73,562 observers made up of 71,256 domestic and 2,306 foreign observers.
“The breakdown of the accredited observers by gender shows that out of the 71,256 domestic observers deployed to the field, 51,320 (72 per cent) were males while 19,936 (28 per cent) were females.
“For foreign observers, out of 2,306 persons deployed, 1,711 (74 per cent ) were males while 595 (26 percent) were females.”
“I want to assure you that all recommendations that require administrative action by the Commission will be given expeditious consideration beginning with the Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections.
“We will continue to work with you on areas requiring legislation by the National Assembly or further action outside the Commission’s immediate mandate.”
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