The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members participating in Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election of their safety and prompt payment of allowances.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, noting that the welfare of corps members serving as election ad hoc staff remained a top priority for the commission and security agencies.
Amupitan described the corps members as key stakeholders in ensuring the success of the election, stressing that they would be properly identified in NYSC uniforms to prevent impersonation and maintain neutrality.
“We are doing everything to ensure that we use them in uniform so that they can be distinguished from others, and we don’t use people within who are already partisan.
As far as their allowances are concerned, we made an agreement, and the commission has provided everything. If there’s any balance, it will be adequately addressed, including allowances for corps members,” Amupitan said.
On security arrangements, the INEC boss said security agencies under the coordination of the Nigerian Police had assured the commission of full protection for election officials and materials.
“Even as we speak, some security personnel are already raking the ground in various places. Later, they will do mopping. These are part of the security arrangements to ensure the safety of voters and poll officials,” he explained.
Amupitan further advised INEC officials to remain neutral and ensure a level playing field for all political parties. He also appealed to politicians to avoid violence and for voters to resist vote-buying and apathy.
“The electorate should come out and vote according to their conscience. We must end this era of vote-trading. Bad leaders are elected by those who refuse to vote according to their conscience,” he said.
According to Amupitan, INEC is committed to delivering a peaceful and credible election that could serve as a model for future polls.
He disclosed that the commission had deployed sufficient Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for the 5,718 polling units in the state, with an additional 1,000 units as backup in case of technical failure.
“We have done everything within our means to ensure security, welfare, and smooth conduct of the election. With cooperation from all stakeholders, we are confident of success,” Amupitan added.
