INEC Says 16 Parties Will Participate.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said on Wednesday, that 16 political parties have indicated interest in participating in the November off-cycle governorship election in Ondo state.

Yakubu, who spoke at a meeting with leaders of Civil Society Organisations in Abuja, however, said that the commission will no longer accredit CSOs who fail to submit a report of their election monitoring to the commission after every election.

The INEC chairman regretted that some CSOs were yet to submit their report and recommendations for the 2023 general elections to the commission as a fulfilment of one of the conditions for their accreditation.

He disclosed that the Commission will publish the particulars of candidates for the Edo state governorship election by the 31st of March in line with the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.

He assured that INEC will continue to partner with Civil Society Organizations in the conduct of its activities, adding that the Commission appreciate the observations and recommendations contained in the election observation reports submitted by the CSOs.