Group raises concern over planned recruitment of non-NYSC members

A non-governmental organisation has expressed concern over plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recruit ad hoc staff who are not NYSC members for the Ondo governorship election.

Mr Samson Itodo, the Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja that deviating from the tested recruitment pattern, would create credibility problem for the poll.

“This new approach is subject to abuse by INEC officials and desperate politicians who continue to devise means to compromise and undermine the credibility of elections.

“INEC should not take the risk to compromise the integrity of the Ondo governorship election on the basis of funding challenges or economic recession.’’

Itodo said that no price would be too much to pay to protect the integrity of the elections.

He urged INEC to immediately commence the recruitment of NYSC members from neighbouring states such as Ekiti, Edo and Osun, if the number of NYSC members in Ondo was inadequate.

He noted that the atmosphere in the state suggested that INEC was working hard to ensure a credible, fair, violence free, transparent and conclusive election.

“YIAGA commends Ondo REC and his team for their openness, transparency and commitment to properly organise the forthcoming elections as well as their engagement with stakeholders.’’

“The success of the election would be dependent on how all stakeholders engage the electoral process in line with the principles of transparency, accountability and justice,’’ he said.