October 15, 2026.
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has charged election observers in the state to remain professional, impartial and focused on the electoral process as they prepare to monitor the October 17, 2026 Local Government Elections.
The Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, gave the charge on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during a meeting with election observers at the Commission’s headquarters in Lokoja, where he provided final guidelines for effective election observation.
Eri cautioned the observers against interfering in the electoral process or making premature pronouncements on election results. He said they could take photographs and document events as evidence but should avoid statements capable of spreading rumours or creating unnecessary tension.
He emphasised that the responsibility of observers was to monitor the conduct of the election and provide objective reports that would help the Commission improve future electoral processes.
“Observers are responsible to KOSIEC and should be more interested in the process rather than the results,” the Chairman stated.
He urged the observers to prepare comprehensive checklists covering their personal information, the details of their organisations and relevant information about the polling units they would observe. He stressed the importance of understanding their responsibilities before arriving at their assigned locations.
On the closing time for voting, Eri explained that voters already on the queue at 3:00 p.m. should be allowed to vote. He also warned that vote buying was an electoral offence and urged observers to document all irregularities in their reports rather than engage in arguments or disputes at polling units.
The KOSIEC Chairman further explained that election results would be declared at the polling units, wards and local government levels before being forwarded to the Commission.
He assured the observers that the Commission would not interfere with results from the field but would formally declare the results in accordance with the established electoral process.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Forum of Election Observers in Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, Comrade Idris Miliki, urged participants to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act as well as the relevant codes of conduct guiding election observation.
Miliki advised observers to arrive at their assigned polling units early to document the commencement of electoral activities and remain security-conscious throughout the exercise.
He also urged them to ensure that their reports identified challenges encountered at polling units and offered practical recommendations for addressing them, cautioning against making premature judgments while on the field.
“It is those that are alive that can write reports,” he said, stressing the need for observers to prioritise their personal safety throughout the exercise.
Miliki further urged KOSIEC to ensure that election materials arrived at designated distribution centres by 8:00 a.m. on election day to facilitate a smooth electoral process.
He also called on observers to complete and submit their reports by Monday following the election.
The meeting featured questions and answers, during which participants raised concerns and offered suggestions aimed at strengthening the electoral process and ensuring effective observation of the forthcoming local government elections.
Modupe Adegboro,
Information Officer, KOSIEC.
