Why we Redeployed Staff Nationwide – INEC

Joshua Omoloye, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained that the recent mass redeployment of staff across its offices in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory is “to ensure efficient and optimal performance”.

The Commission at a meeting on Thursday ratified the deployment of staff across the country

Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye said “the affected staff are either serving in their states of origin or have served for between 10 and 32 years in the same state.

“The Commission considers this development as unhealthy for the sensitive responsibilities they discharge. In line with the Commission’s existing posting policy, henceforth no Head of Department (HoD) or Electoral Officer (EO) shall serve in his/her State of origin. Furthermore, no staff shall serve for more than two electoral cycles in the same duty post.

“Consequently, the Commission has identified 186 staff for immediate redeployment.

Read More: At last, Buhari assent Electoral Bill 2022

“Among them are 46 HoDs who are either serving in their States of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same State as well as 140 EOs serving in their States of origin or served for more than two electoral cycles in the same State”.

The commission ordered the redeployed staff to complete the handing and taking over not later than Wednesday 9th March 2022.

Okoye said “this will be an ongoing exercise that will extend to other categories of staff in the Commission’s Headquarters, State and Local Government offices nationwide”.