According to news published by Vanguardng, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State is gearing up for the upcoming governorship election slated for September 21, 2024. In a bid to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process, INEC has reached out to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for assistance.
During a recent visit, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, emphasized the vital role of NYSC members in facilitating free, fair, and credible elections. He noted the need for collaboration, stating, “We would need your corps members to assist us in conducting an election that would be free, fair, and credible, and the people’s votes would count.”
Responding to INEC’s call for support, Mrs. Ifeoma Ben-Ushie, the state NYSC Coordinator, expressed gratitude for the visit. She showed the importance of the longstanding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between INEC and NYSC, which dates back over a decade and was reviewed in 2013.
Ben-Ushie commended the efforts of corps members in previous elections but also raised critical concerns. She emphasized the necessity of adequate security measures, conducive Registration Area Centres (RACs), and timely payment of allowances for corps members. She stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of corps members throughout the electoral process, especially in areas prone to conflicts.
“In most states, INEC abandons the corps members to themselves as soon as they finish the election,” Ben-Ushie remarked. She urged INEC to provide proper logistics, including transportation and security personnel, to safeguard corps members during their service.
Ben-Ushie emphasized the need for RACs to be equipped with basic amenities to ensure the comfort of corps members, particularly during overnight stays. She urged INEC to ensure that corps members are promptly returned to their respective homes after their duties are completed.