The Independent National Electoral Commission says it has recorded a shortfall of 6,154 ad hoc staff for the conduct of the governorship election in Imo State on November 11, 2023.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Monday in the Akwanga area of Nasarawa State.
Yakubu spoke at a two-day workshop on: “Election Reporting, Ethical Practices, Safety, and Conflict Sensitivity in Election Coverage.”
The Chairman said the shortfall was observed at the close of online application for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States governorship elections.
Yakubu, represented by a National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, who did not state the reason for the shortfall, however, said that staff would be sourced from neighbouring states.
He said: “Ad hoc staff portal for the November 2023 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States was opened on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 8am and closed on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 12 midnight.
“The summary of successful applicants shows that Bayelsa and Kogi have full complement of their requirement for all categories of ad-hoc staff, while Imo has a shortfall of 6,154.
“The shortfall will be sourced from the neighbouring states.”
Speaking further on the commission’s preparation for the three states’ off-cycle elections, Yakubu said all the non-sensitive materials required had been deployed to the states.
He added that 55 media organisations, comprising 914 personnel, had applied through the Commission’s portal for coverage of the states elections as of October 13.
He also said that printing of party agents tags would commence on October 16.
He added: “The Registration Area Center (RAC) and Collation Center assessment is completed.
“The engagement with RAC officials on Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for RAC management in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States has been completed.
“The Pre-Election Planning technical workshop (PEP) for Electoral Officers (Eos), Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs), Head of Units (HoU), Training and Head of Departments (Operation) for the states elections had been completed.”
Yakubu explained that the workshop was to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the commission’s processes and procedures.
He said it would go a long way in ensuring factual, balanced and informed coverage of the INEC’s activities
He said: “The INEC Press Corps is an indispensable partner in the electoral process, and they provide a veritable platform and pathway for the dissemination of electoral information to the Nigerian public.
“The commission will continue to collaborate with you in providing the requisite information that enables you all to engage in the electoral process and educate citizens to make informed choices.”
The Chairman, INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu, said the workshop would significantly contribute to the professionalism and effectiveness of the INEC Press Corps.
Ojumu expressed confidence that the workshop would do this by improving their skills in ethical reporting and enhancing their safety awareness and would contribute to the overall integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
He said: “As you are aware, the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa scheduled for November 11 hold significant importance for INEC and the nation as a whole.
“Accurate and unbiased reporting is vital to ensure transparency, public trust and the credibility of the electoral process.
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“Therefore, it is essential that members of the INEC Press Corps are adequately equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively.”
Ojumu added that the workshop would be a comprehensive training programme designed to address the key issues faced by journalists covering elections.
The workshop was organised by INEC in collaboration with the Development Alternatives Incorporated for the INEC Press Corps.