2023 Elections: Negligent Officials Will Not Be Involved In Guber Polls — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that officials who were found to be negligent in the presidential and National Assembly elections will not be a part of the March 11 gubernatorial polls.

The update was given on Saturday by INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.

Yakubu enjoined INEC officials to work harder to overcome the challenges of the past election as anything short of that would be unacceptable to Nigerians.

“As we approach the Governorship and State Assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians.

“All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including Collation and Returning Officers, must not be involved in forthcoming elections.

“RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established”, he stated.

Speaking further, Yakubu instructed the RECs to ensure that election day logistics are finalised days before the polls and handled by the Electoral Officers EOs at the Local Government level.

“This has been our standard practice. Centralizing the process as was done in some States resulted in a delayed deployment of personnel and materials and late commencement of polls.

“RECs will be held responsible for any tardy arrangement or the failure to deploy electric power generators to collation centres or polling units where such facilities are needed.

“The Commission has enough facilities in all the States of the Federation.

“Failure to deploy them is simply inexcusable”, he added.