An Adhoc staff recruited to work by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has lamented the substandard welfare package during the period of their work.
He also lamented a breach of contract from the INEC as they weren’t picked by the buses assigned to convey them and the election materials down to the INEC office after the election.
The INEC officer who craved anonymity complained to Voice of Nigeria that they had to return to the INEC office on tricycles and motorcycles which he said was detrimental to the safety of their lives as they could have been attacked as they were transporting the electoral materials back to the INEC office.
The ad-hoc staff who craved anonymity was in charge of one of the polling units in Oreagbor local government in Edo State, Southern Nigeria enjoined INEC to also look into the payment of the ad-hoc staff in charge of the voting process.
“Our agreement was that we would be picked up immediately after sorting and counting of the ballot papers, but we called until about 8 pm when we had to move the materials down to the INEC office on our own by motorcycle. Anything could have happened to us during the process.”
He said there were supposed to be four ad-hoc officers per polling unit, but in many cases, the ad-hoc staffs were two and sometimes one.
“This makes the work so challenging and hectic,” he stated.
Economic Realities
He called for the review of the feeding allowance and also, the payment, which he said was too meager, considering the economic realities of the country.
“The INEC permanent staff were being cooked for during the exercise. In fact, they have caterers assigned to cook for them. They are also well-paid and taken care of. We do the major work and it is so stressful, yet we are not being treated well.”
He added that the welfare of all stakeholders involved in the electoral process should be considered for the credibility of the election.
Dominica Nwabufo
