October 25, (THEWILL) – Despite its readiness with logistics for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing hurdles over the recruitment of 10,000 ad hoc workers for the poll.
The Commission had in May increased the polling units in Anambra State from 4,608 to 5,720 with about 10,000 ad hoc workers required for the governorship poll.
However, despite its declaration of preparedness, hundreds of those who signed up for the role have resigned over heightened insecurity in the southeast.
According to a reliable source, “INEC is now short of thousands of ad-hoc staff members due to IPOB instructions. Those who initially signed up have now resigned en-masse.”
There has been low response by adhoc workers who will conduct the poll because of the security situation in the southeast region, particularly with the activities of IPOB.
The group had on Saturday threatened a 7-day locked down of the South-East from November 5, if the Nigerian Government failed to release its, leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on or before November 4 2021.
A statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, explained that the one-week sit-at-home order, which would end on November 10, was to press for the release of their leader whom the Nigerian Government was prepared to keep in incarceration ad infinitum for nothing.
Efforts to get reaction of the Commission failed as several calls and text messages to the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye were not responded to.
THEWILL however, learnt that INEC has been holding a series of consultations with the police and other security agencies on how to protect polling units and voters across the state.
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