The Niger Independent Electoral Commission on Saturday said it would recruit 14,000 ad hoc staff for the November Local Government Polls in the state.

Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the Chairman of the commission, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna.

He said the ad hoc staff to be recruited include supervisors, returning officers and presiding officers, adding that enough fund had been budgeted for the exercise.

“The state government has budgeted funds for the conduct of the November council polls. The funds money has been scheduled to be disbursed to the commission in tranches.

“We are also collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in areas of logistics.

“In order to save cost, we will be using INEC's ballot boxes. Various rules have also been given to political parties and other stakeholders on the do's and don’ts of the elections.”

Abubakar said card readers would also be used in conducting the exercise, adding that training was already on for the officers to address challenges of the process.

The chairman said the commission was collaborating with security agencies for a free and fair election, adding that three armed men would be attached to each polling unit.

“Awareness and sensitazation had already commenced. We have visited traditional rulers, community heads and emirs to help educate their subjects on the need to have a free fair election.”

Abubakar called on political parties to educate their followers, assuring that the exercise would be conducted in an orderly manner. (NAN)

•Photo shows INEC acting Boss

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