Kogi Guber: Collation Officers Will Come From Outside – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission says collation officers for the November 16 Kogi governorship election will come from federal tertiary institutions outside the state.

The development was revealed by the Federal Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Festus Okoye while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Okoye stated that the move to bring in officials from other states was part of efforts to guarantee the credibility of the poll.

He noted that the commission has the right to appoint collation officers from any part of the country, he added that the electoral body is collaborating with security agencies to secure the electoral staff and collation centres on Saturday.

Okoye further stated that the commission is fully ready for the November 16 election, he noted that all the electoral officials and ad hoc staff have been fully trained and ready to be deployed.

He claimed that the electoral officers would be given some basic items such as buckets and blankets, as well as letters of appointment stating their allowances.

He said that the INEC had taken steps to ensure that voters make their choice independently, adding that it was not the responsibility of policemen or any other person to guide people on how to vote and who to vote for in the election.

Okoye revealed that braille, magnifying glass and other items would be provided for voters living with disabilities to assist them in exercising their franchise.

He charged journalists that will be covering the election to publish only the truth to reduce tension during the electoral process.

He particularly asked the media to assist the commission in reducing the incidence of vote selling and buying on election day by calling the attention of EFCC and ICPC officials that would be deployed to all polling units in the state.