Integrity of INEC ad-hoc staff is vital for credible elections—Osun REC, Agboke
Dr Mutiu Agboke, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, has stated that in order for elections in Nigeria to be conducted successfully, ad-hoc staff must demonstrate a high level of honesty, efficiency, and professionalism.
Agboke made the statement during the third INEC consultative meeting with election stakeholders on Tuesday in Osogbo.
The meeting's theme was '2023 General Election: Recruitment, Training and Deployment of Ad-hoc Personnel: Issues, Challenges, and Recommendations for Future Credible Elections in Nigeria'.
Agboke agreed that ad-hoc staff functioned as the backbone of the electoral process, particularly during the 2023 general election, but he also stated that various obstacles were experienced.
He further stated that INEC has resolved to confront the challenges head on, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on the 2023 general election experience, particularly the recruiting, training, and deployment of ad hoc workers.
He stated, "Today, we are come to reflect on the experiences of the 2023 General Election, with a special focus on the recruiting, training, and deployment of ad-hoc personnel--one of the most crucial aspects in the conduct of elections in Nigeria.
"The honesty, efficiency, and professionalism of the ad hoc staff who serve as the backbone of the process are critically important to the success of any election.
"For the 2023 General Election, as in previous elections, the recruitment, training, and deployment of these workers were critical to ensure that the electoral process was transparent and credible.
"However, it is also clear that challenges were encountered, and as a Commission, we must not shy away from addressing these issues head-on, hence the need for interrogation of the previous processes, procedures and the aftermath of the election particularly as they relate to the conduct of the ad-hoc staff, political gladiators and other critical stakeholders, with a view to enhancing the future exercise."
