2011 Polls: INEC May Engage Students From Tertiary Institutions

The INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega,  said on Friday that the commission was considering the services of students from tertiary institutions in the conduct of 2011 general elections.

Jega told newsmen that the move was to meet the desire to have persons of higher credibility in the conduct of the elections.

According to him, “the commission is considering the combination of youth corps members and final year students of tertiary institutions”.

“INEC alone cannot do this job and so we are considering the youth corps members and final year students for greater and increased credibility as ad-hoc staff for the job.

He said the Commission wanted to address the irregularities associated with those engaged as ad-hoc staff in the past.

“ They will be trained and deployed appropriately before the fresh voters’ registration,” he said.

Jega noted that if it was done, it would ensure a more qualitative exercise over the previous elections.

Jega added that there would be a multi–dimensional voters’ education to ensure proper enlightenment and active participation of the electorate in the 2011 general elections.

He insisted that the commission would ensure transparency and not condone any form of electoral malpractice.

“Any INEC staff who connives with a politician to violate the law will face the full wrath of the law regardless of his status.

“We will not cover anybody for any misconduct,” he said.

Jega, who expressed dissatisfaction with the existing voters’ register, said a fresh one would be compiled if funds were made available in August.

“The commission would need adequate funding within the available time, latest by second week of August for the procurement of equipment for credible voters’ register,” he said.

He said that the current voters’ register randomly selected from 19 states had lots of lapses in their documentation processes.