The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has delisted 100 ad-hoc staff for alledged involvement in election malpractices.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Cyril Omorogbe, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen Thursday in Uyo the state capital.
He said the affected ad-hoc staff were found culpable of electoral malpractices during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
”We blacklisted them, we will not use them during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday,” he said.
According to reports, the commission promised that election officials and materials will be transported early to polling units across the state, adding that all arrangements had been made to ensure early arrival of materials and personnel for the polls.
Mr Omorogbe said the commission had started distributing sensitive materials to local government areas of the state ahead of the Saturday’s elections.
“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 stated that 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.
While assuring that the challenges we faced during the last elections won’t be repeated, Mr Omorogbe said the commission was collaborating with security agencies to ensure improved security during the exercise.