INEC bemoans observer groups’ report on Osun, Ekiti polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed displeasure over reports submission by accredited observer groups for the June 18 Ekiti and July 16 Osun states governorship elections respectively.

The INEC National Commissioner in-charge of Election and Party Monitoring Committee (EPMC), Mr Sam Olugbadebo Olumekun, made the observation on Wednesday in Abuja at the post-election workshop on Ekiti and Osun governorship elections with accredited observer groups.

Mr. Olumekun, represented by INEC Director, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Mr Victor Ayodele Aluko, said 85 out of the 88 accredited groups for the elections completed their accreditation process and deployed about 9,830 field observers for both states’ elections.

He, however, lamented that out of the 88 accredited groups, only 25 reports have been received for Ekiti, while only 27 groups have submitted for the Osun election so far.

“Also, the response rate has been low on the synopsis Form for Election Observation which was supposed to have been received by the commission within 72 hours after announcement of results of election.

“For Ekiti, only 26 groups responded, while only 25 groups responded for Osun election. This, indeed, is less than satisfactory,” Olumekun said. 

He also said another issue with election observation which has been of concern to the commission was the issue of integrity in election observation.