Awka, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for Saturday’s Anambra governorship election of their safety and timely payment of election duty allowances.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the assurance during an interview with newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, emphasizing that no corps member would be denied their election duty allowances.

“The welfare and safety of corps members serving as ad hoc election staff remain paramount to the commission and security agencies,” Amupitan said. He described the corps members as key stakeholders crucial to the successful conduct of the election.

He further explained the commission’s measures to protect corps members during election duties:

“We are doing everything to ensure that we use them in uniform so that they can distinguish them from others, and we don’t use people who are already partisan. As far as their allowances are concerned, we made an agreement. The commission has provided everything needed for this Anambra election. Any balance will be adequately addressed, including allowances for corps members.”

On security arrangements, Amupitan noted that security agencies, under the coordination of the Nigerian Police, have assured INEC that measures are in place to protect both poll officials and voters.

“Even as we speak, some security personnel are already preparing the grounds in various locations. Some will handle sweeping and cleaning later. These arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the election process,” he said.

Amupitan concluded that INEC has done everything within its means to guarantee security across all polling units for the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State.