INEC Stresses Professionalism in Election Personnel Ahead of Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections
Torkwase Nyiekaa, Abuja
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has emphasized on Monday, the critical role of professionalism and competence among election personnel in ensuring the success of elections.
The INEC Chairman conveyed this message in an address honoring the late Prof. Abubakar Momoh, former Director General of The Electoral Institute, in Abuja. This event took place ahead of the Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections, scheduled for September 21 and November 16, 2024, respectively.
The theme of this year’s lecture was “The 2024 Off-Cycle Elections: Enhancing Professionalism Among Election Personnel Through Effective Training in Preparation for the Edo and Ondo States Governorship Elections.”
Yakubu, represented by the Chairman of the Board of Electoral Institute, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, emphasized the importance of election personnel being knowledgeable, skilled, and well-prepared to manage the complexities of the electoral process.
He stressed that effective training was crucial in fostering a high level of professionalism among election officials.
The success of any election greatly hinges on the professionalism and competence of those who manage it.
“This lecture, organized in memory of the former Director General of TEI, the late Professor Abubakar Momoh, is particularly timely. With the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states approaching scheduled for September 21, 2024, and November 16, 2024, respectively it provides an apt moment for reflection and discourse.”
“It is crucial that our personnel for these elections are knowledgeable, skilled, and well-equipped with the necessary competencies to manage the complexities and challenges of the electoral process,” he said.
The INEC chairman emphasized that maintaining professionalism is crucial for preserving the integrity of the democratic process. This, in turn, ensures voter confidence and positively impacts voter participation and turnout.
Prof. Yakubu stressed the importance of treating voters with respect. He warned that any unethical or corrupt behavior by election officials would be met with severe consequences.
He emphasized essential principles for election officials: integrity, impartiality, transparency, professionalism, sensitivity to gender and disability issues, and consideration for vulnerable groups.
The chairman stated, “The importance of fostering a high level of professionalism among election personnel through effective training cannot be overstated.”
“The manner, in which they discharge their duties and responsibilities, affects the degree of confidence voters will have in the electoral process, which will impact their participation and turnout.
“To ensure the credibility and trustworthiness in our elections and build trust among the electorates, it is imperative that we prioritise the professional development of our election personnel.”
He added that to achieve these standards, INEC was committed to comprehensive and interactive training programs for its staff and trainers.
In his lecture, the Director of the Mac Arthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, revealed a comprehensive strategy to overhaul and improve various facets of the electoral process.
Central to Shettima’s vision was the integration of civic education into the training curriculum for election officials.
Emphasising the importance of understanding civic duties, democracy, and the history of elections, Shettima, who doubles as a member of the Board of the Electoral Institute stressed the need for election officials to embody integrity and accountability.
Shettima added that the revamped training would not only cover technical processes but also instill a deeper appreciation for the electoral process’s significance.
He said, “Revamp the curricula of training of election officials to include civic duties, the history of elections, democracy, integrity and accountability of election officials, the role of INEC, credible elections, among others, in addition to the technical processes and procedures.
“Physical screening should be conducted before ad-hoc staff are recruited and deployed. This will present a more robust check against the recruitment and deployment of unqualified persons. It is advised to recruit in partnership with institutions instead of recruiting as individuals.
“Ensure that recruited personnel possess the requisite educational qualifications. This will address challenges with a poor understanding of the electoral process and duties by ad-hoc staff.”
Security concerns were not overlooked, as the Director advocated for establishing direct links with security personnel and fostering collective responsibility among stakeholders to protect electoral materials and personnel.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Electoral Institute, Sa’ad Idris, attributed INEC’s successes in the 2023 General Elections and recent off-cycle governorship elections to substantial investments in the training and capacity enhancement of its personnel.
Idris stated that the effective training programmes have directly contributed to the high level of professionalism exhibited by election personnel.
He stated that the Commission’s successes in the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle governorship elections in 2023 and 2024 demonstrate that their investment in enhancing the capacities of its trainers was a wise decision.”
Idris assured that the upcoming elections would exemplify a high standard of professionalism, technical competence, and effective problem-solving.
The Continuous Voter Registration period, which ran from May 27, 2024, to June 9, 2024, saw significant progress, with over 120,458 new voters registered.
