Umeh Urges INEC to Reduce Ad Hoc Staff for Elections

Victor Umeh, the Senator representing Anambra Central and a candidate for re-election on the Nigeria Democratic Congress platform, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recruit and train more permanent staff for electoral duties ahead of the 2027 general elections. During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Umeh expressed that the current practice of moving electoral personnel between states could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

He alleged that ad hoc staff are sometimes deployed to serve the interests of powerful individuals during elections. Umeh acknowledged INEC's ongoing recruitment efforts but urged the commission to focus on increasing its permanent workforce to ensure accountability and better training for electoral responsibilities.

He criticized the temporary nature of ad hoc staff, stating that they lack commitment and accountability compared to permanent personnel, who would be better equipped to handle electoral duties effectively.