Ondo Guber Poll: INEC Ad-hoc Staff, Security Personnel To Take Oath Of Neutrality

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would administer an oath of neutrality on its ad-hoc staff and security personnel that would be deployed for the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo state.

The commission disclosed that 17,705 ad-hoc staff and 11,799 security personnel would participate in the off-circle election.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Ondo state, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, on Monday at a Press Conference in Akure explained that the oath of neutrality would be administered on the ad-hoc staff and security agents to ensure credibility and fairness in the electoral process.

Babalola said the staff and security personnel were being trained for professionalism on election duties.

“To ensure a secure electoral environment before, during and after the November 16 governorship election, INEC has commenced the Election Security Personnel (ESP) training,” she said.

According to her, the programme was designed for all categories of security personnel to be deployed at various stages of the election.

She said: “The training began today, 14th October 2024, and will conclude on 16th October 2024 at the state level, with the zonal sessions scheduled for the three senatorial districts from 18th to 20th October, 2024.

“This training aims to equip our security agents with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle the unique challenges that may arise before, during, and after the election.

“At the end of this training, they are expected to cascade the training down the line having acquired the requisite skill and knowledge to effectively bring out the best and enhance a high-level spirit of professionalism in security personnel deployed for the election.”

The commissioner also said the 18 Electoral Officers and their assistants had also completed a five-day technical training.

Babalola said the training was conducted in recognition of the sensitive nature of their work and the need to enhance their skills, thereby improving their performance in the upcoming election.

The REC disclosed that Register of Voters would be presented to registered political parties fielding candidates in the governorship election.

She said the presentation of the Official Register of Voters to political parties was in line with the provisions of section 10 (4) of the Electoral Act of 2022.

Babalola also announced that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would commence across the state from October 17, 2024.

The commissioner said no fewer than 58,708 new voters were registered, adding that there was a significant increase in registered voters across the state.

She said about 3,132 voters transferred their registration into and within Ondo state while 123 voters transferred their registration within and out of Ondo state.

According to her, the harmonised total number of new registered voters with the old registered voters was now 2, 053,061.