The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged international observers during the polls to remain non-partisan and respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
This was made known by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the INEC briefing for observers of the 2023 general election in Abuja on Tuesday.
He noted that the commission accredited 196 national and domestic organisations that deployed 144,800 observers and 33 international organisations that deployed 2,113 observers.
According to the INEC chairman, the number of observers is the largest in the history of the country.
He urged the observers not to be partisan, stressing that the foreign observers must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The INEC chairman said, “For the 2023 general elections, which begins this weekend with the presidential and National Assembly elections, the commission has accredited 196 national or domestic groups that are collectively deploying 144,800 observers.
“Similarly, the commission accredited 33 international organisations, which deployed 2,113 observers. In all, 229 groups are deploying 146,913 observers for the 2023 general election.
“This is the largest deployment of domestic and international observers in the history of elections in Nigeria.”
On how the observers should conduct themselves, Yakubu said, “I wish to remind observers that there is a code of conduct for election observation. You are, by definition, observers. Do not interfere with the process or show partisanship.
“In addition, international observers must be guided by the fact that the election is conducted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose sovereignty must be respected. I urge you all to keep to the rules, listen to the presentation that will be made shortly, and ask questions where you require further clarification.”
Speaking at the programme, the Regional Director, Africa, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Clara Cole, said election observations provide improvements for elections, pleading with both national and domestic observers to abide by the rules of INEC.
Cole noted, “As we are aware, election observations contribute to public confidence, expose irregularities, and improve elections.”
