The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed plans to deploy 46,084 staff for the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu announced this during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja.
Additionally, 137,934 party agents representing 18 political parties will participate in the election, with 130,093 polling agents and 7,841 collation agents. INEC has also accredited 126 national and international organizations, deploying 11,000 observers to monitor the election. Media organizations have applied to deploy 1,203 personnel, including journalists and technical/support staff, for election coverage.
Yakubu emphasized the importance of a secure environment for such a massive deployment of personnel. While addressing concerns about insecurity and election-related violence, he expressed confidence in the deployment of security agencies.
The election will involve 5,409,438 registered voters in 10,510 polling units across 649 electoral wards in 56 Local Government Areas. Yakubu also mentioned that reports on the 2023 general election and its review were being finalized.
