The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Cross River, says it would use 4, 569 ad-hoc staff for the Feb. 25 governorship election in the state.
Mr Mike Igini, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), disclosed this in Calabar on Saturday in an interview with newsmen.
“We are basically looking at using 4, 569 ad-hoc staff in 2, 283 polling units located in the 193 Registration Areas; 18 Collation Officers and 213 Presiding Officers,’’ he said.
Igini said that the commission would also deploy it staff to sensitive areas to enhance the credibility of the election.
The REC said the training of collation officers had statrted as part of preparations for a hitch free poll.
He noted that effective security was an integral component of a successful election, saying the commission was making serious efforts to ensure adequate security during the exercise.
Igini said measures had been taken to convey materials to riverine areas on time, adding that at least three security agents would be deployed to every polling unit.
“We have reviewed areas of concerns last year in terms of logistics and the movement of personnel to various polling units.
“At every polling unit, we require at least one police man to compliment two other persons,” he said.
He called on the various political parties to embark on voter education to minimise incidences of void votes.
The REC reminded the politicians on laws banning campaigns on Election Day, saying that the law also provides for a six year jail term and a fine of N100, 000.
He enjoined the people of the state to play “politics without bitterness”, and ensure a violence-free election.
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