The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced plans to deploy 6,774 adhoc personnel for the June 20, 2026 Rivers South-East Senatorial bye-election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Dr Johnson Alalibo Sinikem, made this known while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on preparations for the poll. He said the ad hoc staff would be drawn from INEC, the National Youth Service Corps, and other federal agencies to ensure smooth conduct of the election across the seven affected local government areas.
According to the REC, training for Supervisory Presiding Officers will be held from June 5 to 7, while Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers are scheduled for training between June 12 and 14. He added that Collation Officers would undergo training from June 17 to 18.
Dr Sinikem also stated that the commission had started consultations with transport unions and service providers to facilitate the movement of personnel and election materials on election day.
He revealed that BVAS devices and power banks for accreditation and electronic transmission of results were being prepared, while printing of voters’ registers would commence soon. The REC further disclosed that all non-sensitive election materials had already been received from INEC headquarters for distribution to the affected LGAs, while sensitive materials would arrive during the election week
On security arrangements, Dr. Sinikem said INEC was collaborating with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, to identify flashpoints and ensure adequate deployment of personnel.
He added that media accreditation through the online portal would close on June 7, while voter education and sensitizatsensitisation had already begun through radio jingles and announcements to encourage peaceful participation in the election.
