The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has sworn in nine newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of INEC, congratulated them on their appointment during his speech during the ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja.
“They have been involved in elections and electoral activities both in the field and at the headquarters; their experiences traversed electoral operations, election and party monitoring, and electoral litigation.
“This is the first time that several INEC career officers are appointed as RECs. You are not new to the conduct of elections. There is no learning curve for you.
“Consequently, there can be no excuses for failing to hit the ground running and for making a huge difference to the quality and transparency of elections.
“The other five RECs sworn in today have varied experiences in the public service at both the national and state levels. We will hold you to the same standard as we hold the career officers of the commission,” he said.
Yakubu tasked the RECs with operating in accordance with their moral principles, the code of conduct, and the framework of election law.
He also urged them to continue working tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to justice and openness.
He said the schedule and calendar of events for the rerun election after the general elections in 2023 would be released soon by the commission.
He announced that the survey would be paired with bye-elections in seats where the presiding officers of the legislative house had announced vacancies because of the resignations or deaths of current members of the state and national houses of assembly.