The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced its intention to deploy over 4,000 personnel for the upcoming re-run polls and by-elections in both State and Federal Constituencies in Kaduna State on Saturday. Malam Aminu Idris, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Kaduna State, revealed this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Sunday.
Idris outlined that among the deployed personnel, 3,000 would be sourced from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), while the remaining 1,000 would be INEC members of staff. He emphasized that the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, particularly Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, and Assistant Presiding Officers, have already commenced.
To ensure transparency during the exercise, Idris highlighted the presence of stakeholders, including personnel from EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant agencies, who will supervise and guard against incidences of vote buying and other malpractices at the polling units. He emphasized that all individuals, including INEC staff, NYSC members, and security agents, would be held accountable to the law if they violate electoral regulations.
Idris called for collaboration among stakeholders to create a conducive environment for the smooth running of the elections. He urged voters to be vigilant, preventing troublemakers from disrupting the process. Additionally, he emphasized the role of party agents in reporting any irregularities to their respective parties to facilitate preparations for potential litigation.
The elections are scheduled to take place in six constituencies, covering seven local government areas, namely Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna South, Kudan, Kachia, Kagarko, and Kauru. The total number of polling units across these constituencies is 1,114, with approximately 639,914 registered voters who have collected PVCs.
It is noteworthy that INEC has set Saturday as the date for conducting supplementary polls in 44 constituencies nationwide, following the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly in various states across the federation. The vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies in nine states.