The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to engage with political parties and observe their primaries ahead of the Ondo State governorship primary election scheduled to commence in the next two weeks.
This, the electoral body said, would strengthen their advocacy for inclusivity for groups such as women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) that are under-represented in elective offices at National and State level.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this on Wednesday at the first quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs.
His words : “Turning to Ondo State, Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks.
“Sixteen political parties have indicated interest in participating in the election. I urge Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to engage with Political Parties and observe their primaries just as you engage with INEC and deploy observers to the main election conducted by the Commission.
“By doing so, you will strengthen your advocacy for inclusivity for groups such as women, youths and Persons with Disability (PwD) that are under-represented in elective offices at National and State level.”
Yakubu said while some CSOs have submitted their reports, some accredited observers are yet to do so for the general election, supplementary elections, off-cycle elections, by-elections and re-run elections.
The chairman noted that some of the reforms and innovations introduced by the Commission over the years were drawn from their observation reports.
He, therefore, called on those that are yet to submit their observation reports to do so being one of the conditions for eligibility to observe future elections.
The chairman said going forward, the Commission would operate strictly on the policy of “No Observation Report, No Accreditation”.