The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has deployed six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and assigned them to their states of deployment, as well as conducted swearing for them.
Penpushing reports that the chairman of the electoral body, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Friday, and with swearing in all vacancies in the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been filled,
The Chairman at the swearing in ceremony urged them to follow the electoral legal framework and the commission’s guidelines in conducting their activities and discharging their responsibilities.
Penpushing further reports that Yakubu explained that the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) are in charge of personnel and resources in their states of deployment and encouraged them to use them judiciously.
“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms,” he said.
“The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. As RECs, you are the representatives of the Commission in the various States to which you will be deployed shortly’, Yakubu added
Penpushing also reports that he disclosed that two of the electoral umpires Johnson Sinikiem and Mukhtar Gajiram, were reappointed for a second term after serving an initial term of five years as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs)
The chairman added that two others, Sa’ad Idris and Feyijimi Ibiyemi, have been career staff of the Commission, stating that the remaining two, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, a private legal practitioner, and Umar Garba, who have years of experience in the private sector, are joining the commission for the first time.
“Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC,” he said.
Penpushing reports that the new electoral umpires will be deployed as follows: Sa’ad Idris to Gombe, Johnson Sinikiem to Cross River, Feyijimi Ibiyemi to Ogun, Mukhtar Gajiram to Taraba, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako to Abia, and Umar Garba to Sokoto State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss explained that the commission does not deploy Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to their state of origin but to any state in their geo-political zones.
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