NYSC Members Advised To Shun ‘Tempting Offers’ As INEC Trains 700 On Voter Registration In Anambra

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra says it is training 700 National Youth Service Corps members ahead of the voter registration to hold from Aug. 19 to Aug. 26.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onuokaogu, who made this known to newsmen in Awka, urged the trainees to be serious with the exercise.

Onuokaogu said the commission was ready and well-equipped to train them to handle the Direct Data capturing (DDC) machines and other materials during the voter registration proper.

Mrs Chinyere Ekpe, INEC’s Deputy Director of Training, said the training would be thorough to achieve maximum result.

She said that was why the exercise was increased from three to five days.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Ballah Nasarawa, who declared the event open, assured the corps members of adequate protection.

Nasarawa gave police phone lines: 08129911416, 08024922772 and 07039194332; the Nigerian Army, 0812991147; State Security Service, 08135994599; and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, 0812991147; to the corps member.

He urged them to use the lines if they encounter difficulties while on the national assignment.

The commissioner said the voter registration would be difficult, pointing out that they were selected because they would surmount the precarious obstacles.

“There might be tempting offers, but you should know that they are very perilous. I want to warn you not to allow yourselves to be used by unpatriotic individuals.

“You should see this as a clarion call to serve your fatherland,” Nasarawa said.

He said the corps members would be monitored and observed during the voter registration to ensure no foul play.

Nasarawa said it was mandatory for the corps members to enrol in the National Identity Registration and a copy submitted to the police and INEC.

“This is in order to tie your work in the registration centres and polling units to you and you, alone,” Nasarawa said.

The Chairman, INEC Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state, warned the corps members not to leave their station.

“Please, do not leave where ever we ask you to stay and always move together, but be serious with your training,” he said. (NAN)