INEC TRAINS POs/APO’s IN PREPARATION OF EKITI ELECTIONS

Following the Successful Conduct of the Training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPO), in preparation for Ekiti East State Constituency 1 By- Election in Nigeria, scheduled to hold on the 20th of March, 2021, the Electoral Institute (TEI), commenced the Training  of Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) yesterday, 9th March, 2021 .

The Objective of the 3 days Training is to build the electoral capacity and skills of Ad hoc Staff on Polling and Counting Procedures and effectively perform the electoral duties of POs/APOs in line with the First Supplementary Guidelines and Regulations to Elections and the INEC Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of COVID -19 Pandemic

The Training is being conducted in two (2) Local Government Areas of the State namely Omuo Ekiti and Ikole Ekiti, in Ekiti State.

The Training which satrted with registration and opening formalities has participants with a mix of  National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, Ex-Corpers and few INEC Staff.

As usual, the ground rules for the training was established before the administration of pre-test. The participants would be taken through Nine (9) modules   using appropriate methodology such as Discussions, Presentations, Question and Answer sessions and Simulations. Topics include Polling day and time, Code of Conduct for Personnel, the Polling Team and their functions. Election Materials, Polling procedures, Closing of polls would also be treated. Operating the Smart Card Reader (SCR) and Zpad will be a major focus of the Training so as to equip participants with the skills to accredit voters.

Other topics to be treated include Sorting and Counting/Recording of Votes, discussion on the Polling Unit booklet and a Simulation of the processes and procedures on Election day activities will also be performed by the participants.

The Director General of the Institute, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris represented by Ag. Director, Training, Mr. Ifeanyi Agoha in his welcome remarks  charged participants to acquaint themselves with the initiatives put in place by the Commission to ensure credible elections. The participants were also informed to adhere strictly to the PTF/NCDC guidelines  by ensuring social distancing in sitting arrangements, presenting themselves for temperature checks, wearing of face masks and use of Hand sanitizers during the training