- INEC warned its staff of severe legal consequences for engaging in corrupt or unethical behaviour during upcoming governorship elections
- Prof. Abdullahi Zuru emphasized the significance of effective training to cultivate professionalism among election officials
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern caution ahead of the September 21 and November 16, 2024, off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. Any commission staff engaging in corrupt or unethical behavior will face severe legal repercussions.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, delivered this warning on Monday in Abuja during the annual Prof. Abubakar Momoh Memorial Lecture, organized by The Electoral Institute (TEI). The event’s theme was ‘The 2024 off-cycle elections: Achieving professionalism among electoral personnel through effective training in preparation for the Edo and Ondo states governorship elections’.
Representing Yakubu was Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, Chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute (BEI) and INEC National Commissioner. He stressed the importance of election personnel being knowledgeable, skilled, and adequately trained to navigate the intricacies of the electoral process. Effective training, he emphasized, is pivotal in cultivating a high level of professionalism among election officials.
Dr. Kole Shettima, director of the MacArthur Foundation and TEI board member, proposed a comprehensive strategy to revamp and enhance various aspects of the nation’s electoral process. He advocated for including civic education in the training curriculum for election officials and emphasized the need to establish direct communication channels with security personnel. Additionally, he underscored the importance of fostering collective responsibility among stakeholders to safeguard electoral materials and personnel.