INEC Embarks on Restructuring Exercise

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday said it has embarked on a restructuring exercise as part of efforts to ensure the success of the 2015 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State, Mr Sam Olumekun, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abeokuta.

Olumekun, who said that the exercise was not synonymous with retrenchment, pointed out that it was meant to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the commission in the conduct of the polls.

He explained that the development was borne out of a strategic review of previous elections in which some proposals came up and evolved into ”election project plan for 2015 polls.”

The re-organisation, according to him, involves the collapse of some departments into directorates and the creation of other divisions.

Olumekun added that it also entailed redeployment of personnel to INEC’s offices across the country as well as welfare packages to produce a contented workforce that would be committed to the success of the electoral process.

“We have identified seven principal business areas which are very critical to the conduct of any election and we are now in the process of executing the election plan project,” he added.

Olumekun said that he had embarked on an assessment tour of INEC’s offices across the state, noting that the exercise had afforded him an opportunity to interact with various stakeholders.

“It has also helped me to be acquainted with the political terrain of the state which in my view is matured and conducive to the conduct of a free and fair election,” he said.

He assured residents of the riverside areas in Ogun State, of timely and adequate supply of election materials to avoid disenfranchisement of the people.

Olumekun also said that the commission was strengthening its voter education programme to produce an enlightened citizenry which could participate effectively and positively in the electoral process.

He, however, stressed that voter education was not the exclusive preserve of INEC, but a collective responsibility which would reduce mistakes as voters perform their civic responsibility.

The commissioner called for increased collaboration of various stakeholders in the state to ensure a success of the 2015 polls in the state.

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