INEC blacklists 100 ad-hoc workers over electoral malpractices

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has blacklisted 100 ad hoc staff involved in various malpractices during the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections in Akwa Ibom.

This was disclosed by Dr Cyril Omorogbe, INEC Resident Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom State while briefing journalists about this Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

Omorogbe said the blacklisted ad hoc staff were found culpable of electoral malpractices during the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state and will therefore not be involved in the March 18 elections.

”We blacklisted them. We will not use them during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday,” he said.

The resident electoral commissioner said the commission had started distributing sensitive materials to Local government areas of the state ahead of the Saturday elections.

Omorogbe said that all arrangements had been made to ensure early arrival of materials and personnel for the polls.

”We have made adequate preparations to ensure that materials and personnel do not arrive late at polling units.

”We are aware of the complaints raised during the presidential and national assembly elections; we do not want that to repeat itself,” he said.

He said the commission had made arrangements for backup vehicles in the event of sudden breakdown of any utility vehicle.

”This arrangement is to ensure that materials and personnel are conveyed to polling units without delay.

”I can assure you that the challenges we faced during the last elections won’t be repeated ,” he said.

He said the commission was collaborating with security agencies to ensure improved security during the elections.