The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced that 16 political parties have shown interest in participating in the November off-cycle governorship election in Ondo state. Speaking at a meeting with Civil Society Organisations in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu also stated that INEC will no longer accredit CSOs that fail to submit election monitoring reports to the commission after each election.
Expressing regret over the failure of some CSOs to submit their reports and recommendations for the 2023 general elections, Prof. Yakubu emphasized that this is a condition for their accreditation. The Commission is set to publish the particulars of candidates for the Edo state governorship election by March 31, as per the election timetable.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted the ongoing preparations for the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections, scheduled for September 21, 2024, and November 16, 2024, respectively. He urged CSOs to engage with political parties and observe their primaries, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity for underrepresented groups.
The INEC Chairman reiterated the Commission's commitment to partnering with Civil Society Organisations, noting that many reforms and innovations introduced by INEC are based on CSOs' observations and recommendations. He reminded accredited observers to submit their observation reports promptly, as it is a mandatory requirement for future accreditation.
