INEC to deploy 4,000 personnel for Feb 3 re-run polls in Kaduna–REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy no fewer than 4,000 personnel for the conduct of Saturday’s re-run polls and by-election for the State and Federal Constituencies in Kaduna State.

Malam Aminu Idris, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Kaduna State disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kaduna.

Idris said the personnel would include 3,000 drawn from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and 1,000 INEC members of staff.

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He said, “The commission projects to have about a total 4,000 staff including about 3,000 Ad hoc staff with the categories drawn from members of the NYSC as Presiding Officers and institutions like the Kaduna Polytechnic while others would include NYSC and INEC staff.

“So far, we have started with the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff especially those of Supervisory Presiding Officers then to those of Presiding Officers officers and Assistant Presiding Officers.”

Idris said that strict supervision has been out in place with the presence of the stakeholders including personnel from EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant agencies to ensure transparency during the exercise.

“They will work against incidences of vote buying and other malpractices at the polling units and in terms of being accountable to the law as nobody is immune including INEC staff and corps members.

“Anyone that contravenes the electoral law in terms of distorting the elections, would face the wrath of the law whether you are an INEC staff, NYSC or even security agent,” he said.

Idris urged the stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that a conducive environment was provided for the smooth running of the elections and for the voters to be vigilant so that trouble makers will not be allowed to disrupt the process.

He said, “Party agents should equally take the responsibility as their job should not be left for INEC alone to do so that they report to their respective parties because that is the way to prepare for litigation if there is any need for it.”

Idris said elections would take place in six constituencies covering seven local government areas including; Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna South, Kudan, Kachia, Kagarko, and Kauru.

“Total polling units in the six constituencies are 1,114, with the number of registered voters that have collected PVCs of about 639,914,” he said.

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NAN reports that INEC has fixed Saturday for the conduct of supplementary polls in 44 constituencies across the county.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman Information Voter Education Committee (IVEC) of INEC said this in a statement tagged ‘timetable and schedule of activities for bye-elections and court-ordered re-run elections.

He said, “The commission has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for conducting bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

“These vacancies were declared by the Presiding Officers that is the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

“The vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine states of the federation.” (NAN)