The Edo State governorship election has been scheduled to be held on 21 September 2024, while that of Ondo State would be held on Saturday, 16 November 2024.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has shortlisted the International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development and Law Enforcement Inc. as one of its foreign election observers ahead of Ondo and Edo states governorship elections.

The Africa Director of the observer group, Ambassador Blessing Akinlosotu in a statement signed on Saturday and sent to SaharaReporters, assured INEC and the respective states of upholding the organisational integrity to report with all sense of prudence during the elections.

He urged the citizens to be law-abiding, while urging security agencies to continually focus on their job just as always during elections.

“In 2023 general elections, we observed the elections across the federation, and our report was objective. We will do same in these state elections as well, and Nigerians would be proud we observed the elections,” he added.

While speaking on the importance of election observation, he noted, “Election observation is of great importance in Nigeria due to several reasons: Ensuring transparency and credibility: Election observation plays a crucial role in promoting transparency and credibility in the electoral process. Observers, both domestic and international, monitor different stages of the election, such as voter registration, campaign activities, voting, and vote counting.

“This helps to identify any irregularities or malpractices, thereby reassuring the public of the fairness and integrity of the elections.

“Detecting and preventing electoral fraud: Election observation helps in detecting and preventing electoral fraud, including voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, multiple voting, and other forms of misconduct Observers can raise alarms and report such incidents, which can lead to investigations and appropriate actions to rectify the situation.

“Promoting accountability: Election observation encourages electoral stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and election management bodies, to perform their roles responsibly. Knowing that their actions are being closely watched, these stakeholders are more likely to adhere to ethical standards and follow the prescribed electoral laws and regulations.

“Building public confidence: By providing credible and independent assessments of the electoral process, election observers enhance public confidence in the outcome of elections. This is particularly important in Nigeria, where there have been past instances of disputed and violence-prone elections. By mitigating electoral disputes and ensuring transparency, election observation contributes to peace, stability, and public trust in the democratic process.

“Strengthening democracy: Through election observation, Nigeria can strengthen its democratic institutions and processes. Observation reports often provide recommendations for improving future elections, such as reforms in electoral laws, increased training for electoral officials, and voter education efforts. Implementing these recommendations can lead to more inclusive and representative democratic systems.

“Overall, election observation is crucial in Nigeria as it promotes transparency, prevents electoral fraud, enhances accountability, builds public confidence, and strengthens democracy. Its significance lies in ensuring that the will of the people is effectively and fairly represented through the electoral process.”