Abuja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has approved 50 groups to observe the forthcoming Kogi and Bayelsa States governorship elections.

The polls are scheduled for November 21 and December 5 respectively.

The commission, in a letter signed by the Director of Elections and Party Monitoring Department (EPM), Bala Shittu, disclosed 43 out of the approved 50 organizations were domestic while the rest were foreign.

Shittu said the approved groups were to obtain, complete and return relevant documentation for the the two elections from the Department at the INEC Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.

He added that the Commission also requested that the photographs of members of staff to be deployed by approved groups in the two states along with their names be submitted in hard and soft copies to the Election and Party Monitoring Department latest by October 23.

“Late submission will not be entertained."

According to the Commission, the dates for distribution of observer kits in the two states will be communicated in due course.

The polls are expected to be a tightly contested affair between the All Progressives Congress and People's Democratic Party

.