The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will be conducting the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election in 1,488 polling units in the six local council areas that make up the district.
NewsBits reports that INEC had scheduled June 20 as the date for the by-election, while it announced and published a notice and timetable for the by-election on May 21. INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, said this while declaring open a 3-day training for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) in IMT, Enugu.
Chukwu said that the council areas for the by-election included: Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Udenu, Igbo-Etiti, and Uzo-Uwani, adding: “It covers 102 Registration Areas (RAs)”. The nature and vastness of the district underscore the importance of adequate preparation and the critical role that INEC staff and ad-hoc staff will play in the successful conduct of the by-election, according to him.
On the training, the REC noted that prospective SPOs are expected to play a vital role in ensuring the successful conduct of the by-election at the field level. Chukwu said that the commission, therefore, expected the highest level of commitment, discipline, integrity, and professionalism from every participant throughout the exercise.
“You will be taken through the electoral processes, procedures, operational guidelines, and technology-driven election management systems that will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to effectively discharge your responsibilities during the election.
“I wish to emphasise that participation in this training does not automatically guarantee deployment as a Supervisory Presiding Officer. At the end of the training, participants will be assessed based on attendance, performance, understanding of the electoral process, practical exercises, and overall conduct.
“Only those who demonstrate competence and perform creditably will be selected for engagement as SPOs for the forthcoming by-election,” he said.
He said that prospective SPOs are expected to demonstrate the ability to effectively perform their functions and to facilitate the training of Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs).
He said: “Successful participants must therefore possess sound knowledge of electoral procedures, strong leadership and communication skills, and the capacity to guide and supervise other election officials.”
