By Remilekun Oyelowo
Towards ensuring a free, fair, and credible 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has commenced a comprehensive training program for Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs). The training, organized by the Electoral Institute (TEI), began on November 8, 2024, and is set to run for three days across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
This initiative follows the successful training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) in preparation for the upcoming election scheduled for November 16, 2024. The primary goal of the training is to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage polling and counting procedures, while adhering to the 2022 Guidelines and Regulations for the conduct of elections.
Participants in the training are predominantly Corp Members currently serving in Ondo State, alongside ex-Corp Members and final-year students from federal tertiary institutions. This diverse mix of attendees is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of electoral processes during the election.
The training program is meticulously designed to cover critical areas such as polling dates and times, the code of conduct for electoral officials, management of electoral materials, sorting, counting, and the announcement of results. Additionally, participants will gain hands-on experience with vital systems including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which streamlines the voter accreditation process, and the INEC Result Viewing (iREV) portal for real-time election results monitoring.
One notable aspect of the training involves the INEC Security Alert and Notification System (INEC-SANS) application. This innovative tool is intended to provide instant notifications regarding any threats or violence against electoral personnel during their duties, ensuring a safer environment for officials working at polling stations and INEC facilities.
As the training unfolds, participants will also familiarize themselves with the INEC E-School and TRAINING Bot, both of which aim to enhance their understanding of the electoral process and policies. The second day of training will focus on utilizing a hard copy of the Manual for Election Officials 2023 alongside e-training resources, fostering a thorough grasp of official electoral procedures.
Highlighting the importance of the training, Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, the Chair of the Board of the Electoral Institute (BEI), emphasized the need for competence and integrity among polling officials. During his monitoring visit, he reiterated that while the iREV portal serves as a platform to view election results, it should not be misconstrued as a means for transmitting results. Professor Zuru expressed gratitude to the participants for their commitment to the electoral process and urged them to uphold the principles of transparency, honesty, and accountability throughout their duties.
Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, the Director General of the Electoral Institute, also addressed the trainees, encouraging them to engage actively in the training sessions and to seek clarification on any points of confusion. He specifically urged them to develop robust familiarity with the BVAS to enhance voter satisfaction during the election.
With the ongoing training now reaching all corners of Ondo State, officials are expected to emerge equipped and ready to navigate the complexities of election management. As election day approaches, the emphasis is firmly placed on ensuring that all electoral personnel are prepared to uphold democratic principles and deliver a seamless electoral process.
As the state braces for its pivotal governorship election, stakeholders remain hopeful that the rigorous training of POs and APOs will pave the way for an efficient, credible, and inclusive electoral experience for voters in Ondo State.
