INDEPENDENT
Ahead of the November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has charged on-duty staff of the commission to maintain their integrity in the discharge of their duties during the polls.
He stated unequivocally that the commission has no candidate in the election and reminded them of their oath of neutrality as he urged them to remain non-partisan.
The INEC boss who spoke during a working visit and readiness assessment tour of Bayelsa and Imo States on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd November 2023, respectively, maintained that INEC is not a political party.
“INEC is not a political party and does not have a candidate in the November 11 Governorship elections, all we are going to do is to ensure that the people of Bayelsa and Imo States choose whoever they want to be their governors and our responsibility is to protect the people’s choice.
He stressed that “we are committed to a credible process”.
The INEC Chairman who was accompanied by the different Resident Electoral Commissioners, also called on the Electoral Officers (EOs) in both states to ensure that all Registration Area Centres (RACs) are fully activated early enough to enable smooth conduct of the elections.
Prof. Yakubu disclosed that part of the Commission’s determination is to ensure that poll officials live up to their responsibilities on election day, a refresher training will be organized on Friday 10th November 2023 “Apart from the refresher training we are going to conduct this week Friday, Saturday and Sunday”.
In continuation of the working visit, the INEC Chairman and his entourage also met with Members of the Inter-Agency…
