The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called upon Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) interested in observing the upcoming February rerun and by-election to submit their applications through an online portal before January 17. This announcement was made in a notice issued by Hauwa Habib, the acting Director of Electoral Party Monitoring, in Abuja on Thursday.
Interested organizations are advised to access the application form at http://observergroups.inecnigeria.org and complete the necessary details. Habib clarified that this process is the only accepted means of application, and it should be done regardless of any previous communication with the commission. The application should be accompanied by relevant information, including legal status (registration with CAC), evidence of registration with the Civil Society Desk at INEC Headquarters, and acknowledgment of previous election observation reports.
Any falsification of documents will result in automatic disqualification and potential prosecution. The deadline for application submission is January 17, 2024. Successful observer groups will be published on the commission’s website and the EPM observer’s WhatsApp platform.
Habib noted that the vacancies for the by-elections and reruns occurred in two senatorial districts, four federal constituencies, and three state constituencies across nine states. These elections are a result of directives from various election petition appeal tribunals following the 2023 general elections. A total of 35 constituencies are affected, with elections scheduled to take place simultaneously on Saturday, February 3.