LG Polls: 16 parties to participate in Nasarawa, 10, 000 adhoc staff to be recruited

By David Odama

Ahead of the November second Nasarawa LG Polls, the state electoral umpire, said nine political parties have indicated interest in the election with the submission of their nominations to take part in the electoral process.

Chairman of the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), Barr. Ayuba Wandai Usman, said in Lafia Monday during an interactive session with staff of the Commission and journalists that the staff are to brace up for the electoral process by ensuring credible and acceptable polls that would be attested to as free, fair and reliable elections.

He enjoined the the staff and Journalists who he described as critical stakeholders to be steadfast in carrying out the onerous task.

The NASIEC Boss charged political parties to play by the rules in exhibiting decency and working in accordance with the established code of conduct.

He added that technology would be deployed in the elections to facilitate swift and efficient voting process, tasking them to use them effectively to achieve the purpose they were meant for.

“Electoral materials would be provided forty- eight hours to the election date, while the portal created for the recruitment of ad-hoc staff for the polls over five thousand applicants had sent their applications in less than twenty four hours”

Commenting on the submission of candidates, NASIEC Chairman said substitution of candidates can only be entertained with cogent reasons such as withdrawal of candidates, maintaining that NGOs and CSOs would be engaged to make the elections inclusive and most credible in the history of the electoral body.

According to him, ten thousand ad-hoc staff are expected to be employed for the November 2 election, insisting that their stipends would be paid directly from the Commission to prevent avoidable challenges.