News: INEC Recruits 12,000 Ad hoc Staff

The National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Training and Research Prof Lai Olurode said yesterday that the commission has recruited 12,000 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as ad hoc staff for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that training of the NYSC members had already commenced.

Olurode, who is also the Chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute, said the training was aimed at preparing them adequately for the election duties. According to him the use of NYSC members as ad hoc staff was in line with the NYSC management's pledge to assist INEC in efforts to conduct hitch-free elections in the country.

He said in the lead-up to the governorship polls in Anambra, the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega would be in the state next week to address the stakeholders.

Olurode said due to the fact that Anambra did not have the required number of NYSC members required more corps members were recruited from Delta and Enugu States to make up for the shortfall.

Although INEC does not envisage any crisis during the election, the commission had met with the Inter Agency Committee on Election Security on plans to provide adequate security.

"The commission has put in place effective collaboration to ensure the safety and security of the ad hoc staff and all other necessary inputs to promote efficiency and the election's credibility," Olurode said.

Source: This Day