INEC Expands Election Monitoring With 98 Accredited Observer Groups

INEC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, has accredited 98 observer groups, 96 domestic and two foreign, for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The commission said in a statement signed by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, on Wednesday, that the accredited organisations cut across a wide spectrum of civil society groups, professional bodies and institutions with expertise in election observation, governance, human rights, gender advocacy, youth development and peacebuilding.
Notable among the domestic observers, the statement said, are the Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, Yiaga Africa, CLEEN Foundation, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Nigerian Bar Association, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, and Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria, among others.

“The presence of accredited observers is consistent with the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process,” the statement said.
Recalling that observer groups play an important role in enhancing public confidence in elections through independent assessment of procedures and outcomes.
The commission “urged all accredited organisations to strictly adhere to the guidelines for election observation and to conduct their activities in a non-partisan and professional manner”.
INEC said the accredited domestic observer groups include: 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Advocacy for Promotion of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative Initiative. Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation. Africa Women for Unity, Social and Culture Organisation. African Christian Care Trust Organization. Akai for Youths Sustainable Development Foundation. Akakpuchionwa Empowerment Foundation. Amazons Women of Substance Foundation. Arise and Build Human Empowerment and Growth Foundation.
Others include Aspire African Youth Empowerment Initiative; Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative; Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Initiative, Caringhands Youth Initiatives, Caritas Empowerment and Development Initiative, Centre for Development and Transformation Initiative, Centre for Childcare and Youth Development, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, Centre for Empowerment and Rebirth for Sustainable Development, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.
Others are: Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Communities Initiative; Centre for Positive Change and Civic Responsibility; Centre for Strategic Conflict Management; Centre for Transparency Advocacy; Christian and Muslims for Peace Progressive and Unity Initiative; Citadel of Hope Initiative; Citizens Advocates for Peace is Possible in Nigeria; Citizen’s Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative; Citizens Rights & Leadership Awareness Initiative; Citizens Rights for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative; Citizenship Civic Awareness Centre; CLEEN Foundation; Committee for the Defence of Human Rights; Community Advancement, Good Leadership and Development Initiative; Community Structure Foundation for Good Governance and Concerned Initiative for Community & Social Development.
Conscience Women of Africa Initiative; Diaspora Advocacy for a New Dawn Initiative, Nigeria; Echoes of Empathy and Leadership Foundation; Forum of Nigerian Ministers and Workers of God; Foundation for Women Development; Future Leaders Global Initiative; Gifted Youth and Women Empowerment Foundation, Eha-Amufu; Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission, Nigeria; Global Initiative for African Development; Grassroots Development and Peace Initiative; Grassroots in Advance of Democracy Initiative for Improve Sustainability; Greater People Centre for Gender Advocacy, Youth Empowerment and Education; Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society.
Other groups listed are: Ilimu Wal Hikmah Islamic Foundation, Immaculate Initiative for Peace, Initiative for Peace Humanity and Social Advancement for Women, Initiative for the Awareness of Civic Education of Citizens, Initiative for the Rapid Development of Nigeria, Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development Foundation, Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria, Intercontinental Leadership Initiative, International Standard Centre for Development, Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons, Muslim Sisters for Social Justice Initiative, National Democratic Institute, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Network of Men with Disability Foundation, New Dawn for Development New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative; New Dream for Grassroots Development; NESSACTION; Nigeria Nigeria; Civil Society Situation Room Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Northern Patriotic Front, Patriotic Women Foundation, Police Service Commission, Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria, Rightway for Women and Youth in Africa Development Initiative and Rosxywhite Care Foundation.
Other groups include Savera Africa Gender Initiative; Secure Tomorrow Initiative; Society for Peace and Capacity Building; Sonia Initiative for Sustainable Peace and Progress; The Flag Foundation of Nigeria; The Peoples’ Care and Advocacy Initiative; TAF Africa (The Albino Foundation); Transform Nigeria Citizens Initiative; Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peace Building and Development; United Nigeria Peace Foundation; Winex Foundation; Women and Youth Development Initiative; Women in Politics Forum; Women of Integrity for Sustainable Advancement Foundation; Womenfest for Betterlife Living Initiative; Women’s Right and Peace Protection Initiative for Africa; Yiaga Africa Initiative; Youth Initiative for Better and Great Nigeria; Your Vote is Your Voice Africa Initiative.
It stated that the foreign observer groups are AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and Nouvel Perspective.
The commission reiterated its readiness to conduct the election and assured stakeholders of its commitment to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process.
Also, INEC said in a statement on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, that the third and final phase of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration for the ongoing exercise will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026 and end on Friday, July 10, 2026.
The IVEC chairman said that the second phase of the exercise was suspended on April 17, 2026, following the publication of the register for claims and objections, a process to clean up the voters’ register.
He said the resumption of the exercise provides another opportunity for eligible Nigerians, especially those who have just clocked 18 years or could not register in previous phases, to enrol.
The commission also appealed to registered voters who want to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards or correct their bio-data to take advantage of the exercise. Such services can be accessed through its dedicated online portal or at INEC state and local government area offices across the country, it added.
He further announced that the display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections will hold from Saturday, July 23 to Friday, July 29, 2026, describing the exercise as a critical step in ensuring the accuracy, completeness and credibility of the voters’ register.
“The Commission assures Nigerians that all necessary arrangements have been concluded for the smooth conduct of the exercise,” the statement read.
The IVEC chairman urged all eligible citizens to actively participate in the registration process, stressing that broad-based participation is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.