The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has told the staff of the commission to ensure that the August 15 Osun State governorship election is credible.
Prof. Amupitan, who addressed INEC staff in Osogbo, Osun State on Tuesday, promised monetary reward and other incentives to both regular and ad hoc staff who deliver on their assignments
“We have started a scheme now in the commission whereby there is a reward for hard work,” the INEC Chairman stated.
He promised that the best electoral officer in a local government to ensure that the election starts at 8.30 am in all the polling units would be given a prize.
According to him, apart from monetary compensation, the commission would issue letters of recommendation and opportunities for foreign travels.
“These are some of the things we are trying to do to motivate staff.
“You are members of staff; you know you have something to offer. As the chairman and the Commissioners, our role is to be able to tap your brains and ensure that you are able to solve every problem that confronts you,” Prof. Amupitan stated.
He, however, warned that there could be consequences for late commencement of the election, and expressed worry at security situations in Osun State, particularly the recent attacks on INEC facilities, including the hijack of bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) machines and assault on INEC staff.
“We are very concerned about that, and we are taking measures to secure our facilities and our materials, because the lives of our staff are very vital. And, more importantly, the security of the voters,” he stated.
Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the commission would be engaging the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and the National Peace Committee to ensure a peaceful election, because, according to him, security ratings in Osun had dropped from “very high in June to medium.”
“The tension is equally high. We have to do everything possible within our powers, within our abilities to bring down this tension,” he said.
