Atser urges voter education desk officers to protect INEC’s reputation

From Barrister Jacob Ayanda (HOD, VEP), Kwara

19th October, 2017

The Administrative Secretary, Kwara State, Mr. Paul Atser has warned Assistant Electoral Officers, Administration (AEOs) in the state to be mindful of their utterances as “this could make or mar the hard earned good reputation” of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Atser gave the warning at a training programme held in Ilorin on 18th October and organized by the Commission for the AEOs to also serve as Voter Education Desk Officers, in line with the Commission’s policy thrust of expanding their responsibilities.

Mr. Atser said: “As Voter Education Desk Officers, you will be dealing with very sensitive stakeholders of the Commission who may be noting every slip of tongue at any given time. So, you have to follow every detail in the manuals given to you as you speak on behalf of the Commission and handle the issue of voter education at the local government areas from time to time.”

In his welcome address, the Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Barrister Jacob Ayanda emphasized the need for the participants to take the training seriously as the new policy implies a profound diffusion of voter education to the grassroots as part of preparations towards the 2019 general elections. For that reason, he noted, the Commission places a high premium on them as the vanguard of voter education at the local government level.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Electoral Officer in charge of Moro Local Government, Mr. Abdulganiyu Bello admonished them to be good ambassadors of the Commission and promised to support them in carrying out their responsibilities as Voter Educators.