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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 144 observer groups to monitor the conduct of the forthcoming general elections in the country.
In a statement published on the commission’s official website, www.inecnigeria.org, the list is comprised of 116 domestic and 28 international observer groups.
The commission advised all the accredited observers to abide by its code of conduct for election observers.
“INEC is pleased to announce the successful applicants to observe the 2019 general elections holding on 16th Feb. 2019 and 2nd March, 2019.
“All accredited observers shall abide by the code of conduct for election observers, which is available for download on the INEC website (www.inecnigeria.org).
“INEC reserves the right to cancel and withdraw the accreditation of any organisation if its members or agents breach the code of conduct,’’ the commission said.
The accredited groups were also advised to obtain and complete form EC 14A (ii) from INEC’s Elections and Party Monitoring Department, at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja between 8am to 4pm (Monday to Friday) starting from January 28 to February 1, 2019.
The commission warned that it would hand over to law enforcement agencies any group other than those accredited, found in any state for the elections.
“Also, accredited field observers found in states other than where they are posted will equally be sanctioned.