2023 Poll: CSO Urges Election Observers to be Neutral, Fair in their Assessment

By Praise Chinecherem

The Society for Equity, Justice and Peace (SEJUP), a Civil Society Organization has charged observers accredited for the presidential and national assembly elections on Saturday to be neutral and fair in their assessment of the polls.

SEJUP General Manager, Dr Emma Ezenwaji made the call during training for those the organization would be deploying as accredited observers during the elections.

He urged them to rise above other considerations capable of undermining their impartiality and objectivity as election observers.

“Ensure that you execute all your duties as SEJUP observers impartially and objectively to the best of your ability, in keeping with the responsibility of observers as outlined by INEC,” he said.

Underscored the need for them to work towards surpassing the past records of professional observation of elections, which has earned SEJUP repeated approval by INEC since 2007, SEJUP assured the group’s readiness to play its part by making the voters happy,” Ezenwaji assured.

The trainer and Chairman, Anambra State Civil Society Network, ACSONET, Prince Chris Azor, who took the people through the electoral process, urged the observers to see their role as very critical to the success of the elections and to discharge their duties with utmost sense of responsibility and loyalty.

He advised them not to be adversarial in doing their job, which, he said was meant to complement the election management body, INEC to ensure that the exercise is a huge success.

“As you identify whatever is not right with the electoral proceedings, do not find fault. Always understand that you are meant to be partners in progress to INEC in its determination to deliver free, fair and credible elections,” he said.

Some of the trained observers expressed their readiness to discharge their  responsibilities as expected of them with neutrality and fairness to all the stakeholders.