The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 134 election observer groups for the September 21 and November 16, 2024 Edo and Ondo off-season governorship elections.

INEC national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, in a statement yesterday, said out of the 134 election observer groups, 124 are domestic while 10 are international.

Olumekun explained that 28 of the observer groups are gender-based; three are representing Persons with Disability, eight are faith-based, 10 are foreign and over 100 others are working in areas relevant to the functions of the Commission.

He said the next step is for the accredited organisations to upload the personal details and photographs of their field observers to its dedicated portal established for that purpose.

Olumekun said the commission also revealed that it would be organising a one-day training for representatives of observer groups on Wednesday July 17, 2024 at its Conference Room in Abuja at 10.00am.

The INEC Chief spokesperson noted that the access Code to the portal and letters of accreditation would be given to representatives of the accredited organisations at the training venue.

He emphasised that details of the one-day training as well as the comprehensive list of all the 134 accredited groups have been uploaded to its website and social media platforms for action by the concerned organisations and for public information.

“In continuation of preparations for the 2024 Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections, the Commission is pleased to provide an update on the accreditation of  observers for the elections.

“A total of 153 applications were received from interested organisations. After a review as provided by our regulations and guidelines, 134 groups (124 domestic and 10 international) met the requirements for accreditation.

“The classification of the organisations shows that 28 are gender-based, three representing Persons with Disability, eight are faith-based, 10 foreign and over 100 others working in areas relevant to the functions of INEC, most of them with previous experience of election observation,” the statement reads in parts.