Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has dismissed allegations that the electoral umpire received some funding from some international partners for the 2023 general election that was held in February, 2023. INEC bass made the declaration today in Abuja during a meeting with Civil Society organisation, CSOs, on the review of the 2023 General Election.
Yakubu clarified that it has been a long standing policy for the INEC to reject any direct funding and cash transfers from any sources other than its budget from the federal Government.
According to him, the commission might have received such monies though the federal Government during the exercise but denied INEC having a direct contact with any partner.
In his statement, “It is necessary to seize this opportunity to correct the impression in some sections of the public that the Commission received huge sums of money from development partners for the election.
“On the contrary, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Commission did not receive any direct funding or cash support from international development partners.
The INEC boss explained that “Rather, their support was totally indirect through civil society organisations and implementing partners working on elections.
“Indeed, it has been a longstanding policy of the present Commission not to receive direct funding and cash transfers from sources other than the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He said, “We hope that we shall continue to have this type of productive partnership with civil society and development partners in the future.”
Yakubu applauded the CSOs for their support during the electioneering exercise, saying that their recommendation has helped his office a long way in strengthening the process.
He explained that “It is in furtherance of this partnership that the Commission accredits observers because the feedback we receive and their actionable recommendations have been very helpful to the electoral process.
“For the 2023 General Election, the Commission received 538 requests (504 domestic and 34 foreign) for accreditation as observers,” the INEC boss added.
“After a thorough evaluation of the requests, only 228 (190 domestic and 38 foreign (including four invited foreign observer groups) met the requirements for accreditation, met the requirements for accreditation.
He noted that “However, so far, only 67 observer groups (62 domestic and five foreign) have so far submitted their observation reports which represents just about 30% of the accredited groups for the election.
“We urge all accredited observer groups that are yet to submit their reports to do so in earnest,” Mr Yakubu pleaded.
