11 embassies, 96 others to monitor polls – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday said it had accredited 107 domestic and
international observers to monitor the   general elections slated for March 28 and April 11, 2015.

Among the accredited observers are embassies of 11 foreign nations of the United States of America, Switzerland, Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, Ireland, Australia, Ghana and the Republic of Korea.

This is contained in a CD labelled ‘2015 General Elections Observers Information Pack’ which the commission included as part of the package it presented to accredited journalists to cover the polls.

The commission listed 14 international and regional organisations as part of the accredited observers. The remaining 82 observers are domestic groups.

Among the international organisations are International Foundation for Electoral Systems; UN Women; International Republican Institute; Africa Students Association of Ireland; National Democratic Institute for International Affairs; UNDP/DGD Project; Centre for Conflict Management, Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Georgia, USA; Commonwealth Observers Mission; and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Kenya.

The rest of the international organisations are Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford; European Union Delegation to Nigeria; ECOWAS Mission; European Union and Election Observation Mission.

Among the 82 domestic observers are, New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Centre for Strategic Conflict Management; Global Agenda for Total Emancipation; Citizens Right and Leadership Awareness Initiative; Justice Development and Peace Commission (Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria); Fundamental Rights League International ; Police Service Commission; Centre for Grassroot Development and Crime Prevention; and Centre for Civic Education (aka Transition Monitoring Group)

They also include Centre for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development; Election Monitor; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; Society for Equity, Justice and peace; Justice & Equity Organisation; Cleen Foundation; and West African Network of Election Observers.

Also contained in the INEC’s guidline CD are, the soft copy of the Electoral Act, Summary of Polling Units and Voting Points nationwide, Directory of Polling Units Revised Draft, 2015 Info Kit.