2019: INEC to commence training of corps members on smart card readers

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to commence early training of corps members who are engaged as electoral officers on the handling of smart card readers ahead of the 2019 election.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos in Lagos, Mr. Sam Olumekun noted that one of the reasons the smart card readers fail was because of the way they were handled.

Olumekun said this during advocacy visits to the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state.

According to him, given the advancement in technology, it is imperative to deepen the training given to the electoral officers to improve on the performance of the 2015 elections.

A statement by INEC spokesperson in Lagos, Femi Akinbiyi quoted the REC as saying at NYSC camp: “This time around, we want to devote time to educate the Corps members during their Community Development (CD) activities at various Local governments”.

He commended the State coordinator of NYSC, Prince Mohammed Momoh for the support to the commission, adding, “We thank you for your usual support, the Commission will like to improve the MoU between us, please if there is area we need to fine tune in the MoU, let us know now so as to cement the synergy for it to work better in future”.

At the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the REC called on the agency to help in mobilizing Lagosians to participate actively in the electoral processes.

“I want the NOA to especially join the Commission in mobilising eligible for voters who have abandoned their Permanent voters cards (PVC) to come and claim them.”

“The Commission is ready to partner with NOA and other stakeholders in our drive to deliver credible, transparent, free and fair elections in 2019.

“INEC has developed an election project plan and strategic plan of action and has itemised all we need to conduct successful free and fair elections.

“If the last election was rated very high by both local and international observers, we are prepared to deliver a more credible one in 2019 to surpass previous achievement.”