The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Ondo State, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola has asserted that corps members play a pivotal roles in electoral system, and as such, are the future of democracy in Nigeria.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner made the assertion when she addressed the 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream II) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Babalola, who was accompanied by all the management team of the electoral body in Ondo State disclosed that engagement of members of the service corps is to protect the image as well as enhance the credibility of INEC during elections.
"Gentlemen Corps Members, I need to reiterate that your roles are critical to conduct of elections in this country and this is more reason why the INEC and NYSC have gone into collaboration so that our society and international community will see your leadership attributes to stabilise polity in the country".
She disclosed that INEC has offered the members of the service corps a platform for tangible participation with the strong conviction that the graduate youths would be committed to enthroning a democracy that will be an envy to other countries of the world.
The REC, who as a legal officer was part of the team that drafted the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two government agencies, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the electoral body to the security and welfare of corps members engaged for election duties.
"We believe in the ability of corps members to perform exceptionally well as ad-hoc staff of INEC during elections and I want to say here that as we prepare for Governorship election come November 2024, I want to assure you that INEC will not compromise your security and welfare. We know the value the Federal Government has placed on you and I am assuring you that the provision of the INEC/NYSC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will subsists".
While welcoming the Resident Electoral Commissioner and her team, the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Amaramiro Pepple reminded INEC of the premium NYSC placed on the corps members, saying that their lives is precious to the nation and should be protected by INEC and its stakeholders.
"My dear children, National Youth Service Corps has gone into collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections at all times in the country, and it behoves you to be responsible in all ramifications when engaged during electoral duty, especially, during the gubernatorial election that is coming up later in the year in the State".
Pepple who proudly disclosed that NYSC has well educated and enlightened highly mobile and versatile corps manpower that are information communication technology compliant to prosecute any vested assignment from the INEC noted that previous successes of engaged corps members on election duties has made NYSC a responsible ally to INEC.
He said that NYSC, and by extension, the corps members are ready to complement the electoral umpire in the sensitive assignment ahead of it in Ondo State, saying that INEC should embark on vigorous sensitisation programme and advocacy visits to critical stakeholders such as the members of the armed forces, traditional institutions, community leaders, non-governmental organisations, and impress it upon them on the need to protect the corps members during elections to prevent unthinkable scenarios.
The INEC Training Officer, Mr. Olawale Olaleye thereafter took the corps members on the rudiments of the election assignments and the responsibilities expected of the members of the service corps.
Post a Comment