Janet Samuel, Abuja
Ahead of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa elections, slated for November 11, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has charged staff of the Commission to remain non-partisan and maintain their integrity.
Prof. Mahmood gave the charge while on a working visit and readiness assessment in Bayelsa and Imo States on Thursday and Friday respectively.
The INEC Chairman, who was accompanied by the National Commissioners and the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in both states, admonished the INEC staff that “INEC is not a political party and does not have a candidate in the November 11 Governorship elections, all we are going to do is to ensure that the people of Bayelsa and Imo States choose whoever they want to be their Governors and our responsibility is to protect the people’s choice.
He stressed that “we are committed to a credible process”.
The INEC Chairman also called on the Electoral Officers (EOs) in both states to ensure that all Registration Area Centres (RACs) are fully activated early enough to enable smooth conduct of the elections.
Prof. Yakubu disclosed that as part of the Commission’s determination to ensure that poll officials live up to their responsibilities on election day, a refresher training would be organized on Friday 10th November 2023 “apart from the refresher training conducted Friday, Saturday and Sunday”.
In continuation of the working visit, the INEC Chairman and his entourage also met with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICESS) in both states.
Addressing the heads of the security agencies, Prof. Yakubu stated that the principal aim of the meeting was to appraise their readiness in preparation for the November 11 elections.
Measures to guarantee the protection of Voters, Election Personnel, Materials, Collation Centres and Transport Providers were among the significant security issues discussed throughout the meeting.
Furthermore, the INEC Chairman led the joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters on a tour of some of the Commission’s facilities in Yenagoa Local Government office to examine the available non-sensitive materials ahead of the off-cycle elections..
