Jigawa bye-election: INEC commences training for POs, APOs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that training of Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) on polling and counting procedures in preparation for Gwaram federal constituency bye election in Jigawa state scheduled for June 19th, 2021, commenced Wednesday 9th June, 2021.

A statement Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi said, “the 3 days training is organised by the Electoral Institute.

According to the CPS, “the objective is that at the end of the training, participants should demonstrate the ability to understand polling and counting procedures and effectively perform the electoral functions 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.

It stated that the training commenced at the six centres in Dutse, Gwaram, Buji, Kiyawa, Jahun and Birnin Kudu.

The statement further said, “During the training, coordinating trainers emphasised on the need for participants to put up the right attitude and proper conduct not only during the training but also in the course of conducting the elections.

“Participants are also advised to be non partisan in the discharge of their duties. They are further charged to ask questions where necessary, highlighting the importance of training to Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) that are the first point of successful Elections.

“The participants adhered to the PTF/NCDC guidelines by ensuring social distancing in sitting arrangements, wearing of face masks and use of Hand sanitisers during the training.

“The Training will highlight among others; the Voters Code of Conduct for Elections in the context of COVID-19 pandemic as well as the mock practice of the revised accreditation process which involves the use of the Smart Card Reader (SCRs) for accreditation of voters and the use of Z-PAD in the upload of polling unit results (scanned form EC 8A) on portal for public view.”