INEC deploys over 400 ad-hoc staff for Benue bye-election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, Benue State said it has trained over 400 ad-hoc staff for Saturday’s bye-election.

The election is to fill the vacant position of Guma 1 state constituency in the state assembly.

The winner of the March 18, 2023 election left to take up an appointment as commissioner in the cabinet of Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.

Speaking to our correspondent on the phone on Friday, the Public Relations Officer, INEC office, Makurdi, Terkaa Andyar said that nonsensitive materials for the election had been sent to the local government area.

When asked about the preparation for Saturday’s bye-election, Andyar said, ‘already, nonsensitive materials have been sent to Guma LGA.

“Other sensitive materials that are still with us will be moved to Guma any moment from now so that they can be taken to the state constituency headquarters in Daudu.

“We have transferred over 400 ad-hoc staff and already posted for the exercise tomorrow,” he said.

On security, Andyar stated that the commission had held a series of meetings with security chiefs in the state with the aim of providing adequate security during and after the election.

Apart from Benue State, bye-elections will also take place in Ebonyi, Yobe, Kebbi, Lagos, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Borno, Kaduna, Plateau, and Akwa Ibom.

Others are Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Sokoto, and Zamfara.