Why we’re using students as ad hoc staff in Ekiti governorship poll, by INEC

Fayemi, Adeyeye are birds of same feather, says Fayose

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday explained why it was engaging students of higher institutions as adhoc staff for the July 14 Ekiti State governorship poll.

Governor Ayodele Fayose had accused the electoral body of plotting to enlist students of the Federal University, Oye-ekiti (FUOYE) to rig the governorship election in connivance with the Vice Chancellor of the institution.

But responding to the allegation, INEC said some staff and students of some federal institutions in the state were being recruited and trained to make up for the shortfall in the number of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members required to conduct the election.

It said that the commission has no ulterior motives for using the students, adding that they were being screened and trained on the conduct of free and fair elections.

INEC had reassured Nigerians that no individuals or groups would have the room to truncate the exercise.

Speaking at the Ekiti State Election Monitor Support Centre (EMSC) Workshop organised for INEC staff in Ado-ekiti yesterday, the National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Oyo and Osun states, Adedeji Soyebi, said INEC would not be responding to such allegations because it would be a distraction.

It also disclosed that it was compulsory for corps members in Ekiti to serve as electoral officers during the election, describing the poll as a critical national assignment and a statutory obligation of corps members.