48,000 staff needed for Kano election, says INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano state has said a total of 48,000 ad hoc staff would be required for the general election in the state.

Kano, according to the national population commission, has the highest population in the country.

Responding to questions at a press briefing on Thursday, Munkaila Abdullahi, the newly-appointed resident electoral commissioner in the state, said the commission would collaborate with the state NYSC secretariat for recruitment of personnel who would serve as presiding officers and polling agents, as well as other officers.

Abdullahi said the electoral body had already contacted relevant organisations for recruitment of the ad hoc staff, adding that the commission has also concluded necessary arrangements for training of staff.

“Election is a process and as such it requires the collaboration of other stakeholders, hence the need to collaborate with the NYSC,” he said.

“I want to use this opportunity to solicit the support and cooperation of journalists in enlightening the public so that we will witness peaceful election in Kano state.”

He assured all eligible voters who registered with the commission that they would get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the commencement of election.

The commissioner said INEC had been working towards ensuring that every arrangement was perfected for the conduct of free, fair and credible election in the state.

He announced that in Kano state, the commission had started receiving non-sensitive materials, including ballot boxes for onward distribution across local government areas.