By Ezeocha Nzeh
In its determination to deliver a credible election in 2023 as promised to Nigerians, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the process of putting its house in order with the redeployment of 186 staff across the commission’s offices nationwide
The commission made the disclosure at the end of its meeting, Thursday at its headquarters in Abuja
INEC, according to a statement issued by its National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education (IVEP), Festus Okoye, noted that the affected staff are either those who are serving in their states of origin or those who have served between 10 to 32 years in the same state, adding that among those redeployed are 46 Heads of Department (HoDs) and Electoral Officers (Eos)
“The affected staff are either serving in their States of origin or have served for between 10 and 32 years in the same State. The Commission considers this development as unhealthy for the sensitive responsibilities they discharge. In line with the Commission’s existing posting policy, henceforth no Head of Department (HoD) or Electoral Officer (EO) shall serve in his/her State of origin. Furthermore, no staff shall serve for more than two electoral cycles in the same duty post.
“Consequently, the Commission has identified 186 staff for immediate redeployment. Among them are 46 HoDs who are either serving in their States of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same State as well as 140 EOs serving in their States of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same State.
“The redeployed staff are to complete the handing and taking over not later than Wednesday 9th March 2022.
“This will be an ongoing exercise that will extend to other categories of staff in the Commission’s Headquarters, State and Local Government offices nationwide,” INEC stated.
