The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has restated the Commission’s resolve to ensure the welfare and security of lives and property of Corps Members during and after the 2023 general elections.
Speaking while on a courtesy visit to the Acting Director General of the National Youth Service Corps at Scheme’s National Directorate Headquarters, Maitama Abuja today Friday 6th January,2023, the nation’s Chief Electoral umpire said his office, in collaboration with all security agencies are strategizing towards a seamless operation for Corps Members and other staff that will participate in the election.
Stressed the critical roles Corps Members played in Nigeria’s electoral system, Yakubu said; “INEC cannot conduct election without involving Corps Members. I make bold to say this because Corps Members are the most readily available, neutral, educated, patriotic and accountable set of ad-hoc staff.
“Hence, the Commission entrusts them with the most critical role of the electoral process. The duties they are saddled with at the polling units determine the outcome of the entire election.
“It is in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the successful conduct of every election that the Commission has included NYSC on Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at both national and state levels.”
The INEC Boss also commended NYSC’s enormous contributions to the conduct of general elections, bye-elections as well as off-season elections over the years, and pledged INEC’s readiness to strengthen the partnership.
“I want to therefore place it on record that the Commission is working asidously to ensure that Corps members are trained and retrained to handle the herculean task of delivering a credible and transparent election to Nigeria come February this year,” Yakubu reiterated.
He also assured his host that everything has been put in place as regards the welfare of Corps Members that will participate as adhoc staff during the elections.
In her response, the Acting Director General of NYSC, Mrs Christy Uba appreciated INEC and Nigerians in general for having confidence in Corps Members’ ability to conduct free and fair elections in the last two decades.
The NYSC helmman said that her office had already put in place measures that will encourage Corps Members to volunteer to take part in the forthcoming election exercise with zeal.
Mrs Uba however appealed to the INEC Chairman for an upward review of Corps Members’ entitlements during election duties, in line with current economic realities.
