INEC Nullifies Recruitment Exercise

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has cancelled the staff recruitment exercise it conducted earlier this year, Emmanuel Umenger, its Director of Public Affairs, has said.

In a statement signed by Mr. Umenger on Tuesday the cancellation was done to reposition the commission for its mandate and to ensure credible elections in 2011.

"The decision has to be taken as a bold step toward giving Nigerians electoral services that will be a qualitative improvement over past elections."

"The commission is not unaware of the effect of the decision on the multitude of young Nigerians who responded to its call by applying for placement into the positions advertised," the statement added.

The commission however, stated that it would look forward to a time when it would be convenient to engage more hands to beef up its workforce.

INEC had earlier this year conducted series of recruitment examination with a target to recruit 6,000 people nationwide.

The new Chairman of the commission, Attahiru Jega has also said the commission would instead consider using youth corps members and students from tertiary institutions for the 2011 general elections.

Mr. Jega told Journalists on Friday in Abuja that the move was to ensure the involvement of persons of high credibility in the conduct of the elections.

"INEC alone cannot do this job and so we are considering the youth corps members and final year students for greater and increased credibility as ad-hoc staff for the job," He said.