LAGOS BYE-ELECTION: INEC TRAINS 3,440 CORPS MEMBERS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos has commenced a three-day training of 3,440 corps members for the forthcoming Dec. 3 bye-election in the Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos State. Mr John Item, Director/Administrative Secretary, the Electoral Institute of INEC in Abuja, gave this figure in an interview on Thursday, during the inspection tour of the training locations in Lagos. Irem said the corps members were drawn from five local government areas of the state which include: Agege, Alimosho, Ikeja, Oshodi/Isolo and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Governments, where the election would hold.

According to him, the corps members, alongside INEC staff in neighbouring local governments, would serve as Presiding Officers across the 335 Polling Units and 687 Voting Points in the constituency. He said: “NYSC members should know they are on national service and this is the test of their national commitment. “It is not all the corps members that are privileged to participate in this kind of service, so, it is an opportunity for those chosen to prove their commitment to national service. “We are expecting 3,440 corps members drawn across five local government areas in the state, but at the end of it, we will deploy 3,190, the excess are to serve as reserves.’’

He charged INEC staff and other poll officers to protect the image of the commission in the election by adhering to the ethics of the job. “Everywhere I go, I keep telling INEC staff that they are the custodians of the electoral process. “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has charged INEC with the responsibility of conducting, organising and supervising elections.