The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State has delisted 100 ad hoc staffers in the state for their alleged involvement in the election malpractices.
The Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, said the affected ad hoc staffers were found culpable of electoral malpractices during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
The Presidential/National Assembly elections were conducted on February 25, though some political parties complain that the commission failed to transmit the results through Irev to INEC’s server.
Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria in Uyo on Thursday, Omoregbe said “We blacklisted them; we will not use them during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday,” he said.
He said the commission had distributed sensitive materials to Local Government Areas of the state ahead of the Saturday elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner said all arrangements had been made to ensure early arrival of materials and personnel for the polls.
“We have made adequate preparations to ensure that materials and personnel do not arrive late at polling units.
“We are aware of the complaints raised during the presidential and national assembly elections, we do not want that to repeat itself,” he stated.
Omorogbe said the commission had made arrangements for backup vehicles in the event of sudden breakdown of any utility vehicle.
He said “This arrangement is to ensure that materials and personnel are conveyed to polling units without delay.
“I can assure you that the challenges we faced during the last elections won’t be repeated.”
He said the commission was collaborating with security agencies to ensure improved security during the exercise.
