INEC trains 1322 ad-hoc staff for Kuje council polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a total of 1322 ad-hoc staff have been trained  in readiness for elections in Kuje Council of the FCT.

The INEC Electoral Officer (EO), Mrs Zainab Gbefwi, disclosed this in an interview in Kuje, after the the training exercise that lasted for three days in the area.

Gbefwi said the exercise was without any challenge, adding that the commission is prepared for the Feb.12 elections  in the six area councils of the FCT.

The electoral officers  said  participants in the exercise include presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and corps members.

She said the commission would deploy all necessary human, material and managerial resources to ensure that the election remained free fair, credible, peaceful inclusive and transparent.

“The training is the last thing we have to do before the election and the next thing is to post the officers to their various Polling units within the council.

“By virtue of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution, it is the responsibility of the citizens to obtain their permanent voter cards and vote for candidates of their choice.

“The call is imperative because apart from increasing the voting strength in elections, it is the only tool the electorate can use to choose their leaders,” she said.

The electoral officer, who expressed confidence in the measures so far put in place by the commission, assured that the exercise would be smooth  as planned for the elections in the area.

However, she urged all candidates, supporters and electorate to ensure they observe COVID-19 safety protocols at polling units at  the elections.

She also appealed to the candidates and their supporters to desist from any form of electoral malpractice to enable smooth and credible elections for the development of democracy in the country.

Miss Victoria Nuhu, one of the trainees said that she would ensure that discipline and orderliness are maintained at the polls.