The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and security of Corps Members’ lives and property before, during, and after the general elections in 2023.
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, the nation’s chief electoral umpire said his office, in collaboration with all security agencies, is strategizing towards a seamless operation for Corps Members and other staff that will participate in the election.
Stressing the critical roles Corps Members play in Nigeria’s electoral system, Yakubu said; “INEC cannot conduct an 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 in 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 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 assiduously 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 ad-hoc 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 helmsman said that her office has 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.
