ABUJA, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the commencement of its recruitment process for ad-hoc staff in anticipation of the forthcoming governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi states.
The move comes as INEC ramps up preparations for what are expected to be closely-watched electoral contests in these states.
According to a statement released by the electoral body and tagged “Notice of Recruitment of Ad-hoc Staff,” the recruitment portal will open on Thursday, August 31st, 2023, at 8:00 AM. It will remain accessible until Monday, October 2nd, 2023, at 12:00 midnight.
The statement read, “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) invites you to apply as an Ad-Hoc Staff for the upcoming off-cycle Governorship Elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.”
Interested Nigerians are directed to the INEC’s official portal or the Android application portal to commence the application process. For further information, applicants can also visit INEC’s official website.
The recruitment drive is critical to the electoral body’s comprehensive plan to ensure free, fair, and credible state elections.
The ad-hoc staff will take on various responsibilities, including voter registration, ballot distribution, and overseeing Election Day’s voting process.
The announcement signals INEC’s commitment to avoiding the pitfalls and controversies marred previous elections.
By allowing a significant window for recruitment and preparation, the commission hopes to attract qualified, dedicated personnel who can contribute to the smooth running of the elections.
Political analysts and electoral observers have expressed optimism about the electoral commission’s early recruitment drive, stating that it indicates a willingness to improve the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
“This is a positive step by INEC to start early recruitment. It shows they are taking their mandate seriously and are working to ensure that the elections are conducted under the highest standards of fairness and integrity,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, a political science professor at the University of Abuja.
However, experts also warn that the effectiveness of the recruitment drive will ultimately depend on INEC’s ability to train the recruited ad-hoc staff adequately and to safeguard against possible electoral malpractices.
As the electoral body moves to fill these temporary but crucial roles, all eyes will be on how this exercise impacts the forthcoming elections, with many hopeful that it marks a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral history.
