INEC Approves 144 Foreign, Domestic Observers Ahead Of 2019 Polls

About 144 domestic and foreign observers have been approved to monitor the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said last night.

In a statement posted on its website, yesterday, the commission said that those approved will monitor the 2019 general elections holding on 16th February, 2019 and 2nd March, 2019. 116 were domestic observers, including government and non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and unions.

It was gathered that 28 were foreign observers, including African Union, ECOWAS, missions, embassies and international organisations among others.

INEC urged accredited observers to abide by the code of conduct for election observers adding that the commission reserves the right to cancel and withdraw the accreditation of any organisation if its members or agents breach the code of conduct.

“Accredited groups are to obtain and complete form EC 14A (ii) from the Elections and Party Monitoring Department, INEC Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja between 8am-4pm (Monday-Friday) starting from 28th January, 2019 to 1st February, 2019.

“To ensure prompt and efficient processing of ID cards, all accredited Observer groups are enjoined to compile the list and photographs of their members for deployment on State basis and submit hard and soft copies (CD please, using JPEG drive) to the Elections and Party Monitoring Department, INEC Headquarters on or before 1st February, 2019,” it said.

It added that the distribution of observer kits (including ID cards to individual observers) will be done by the Elections and Party Monitoring (EPM) Heads of Department (HODs) at INEC state offices between 11th -15th February, 2019.