Kogi Guber: INEC Begins Training for Supervisory Presiding Officers

The training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) on Polling and Counting Procedures in preparation for the Kogi State Governorship Election slated for November 11, 2023, has commenced. The Electoral Institute (TEI) organized this essential two-day training with the aim of ensuring that participants can effectively organize and conduct training on polling and counting, aligning with the ‘Regulation and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.’

This significant training initiative took place at the College of Health Sciences, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, beginning on October 16, 2023. Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet, the Honorable Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC Kogi State, inaugurated the event, underscoring the vital role SPOs play in guaranteeing transparent and violence-free elections.

He called on participants to take their training seriously and contribute to transforming Kogi State’s image as a hotspot for election-related violence.

Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, Director General of TEI, addressed the participants, stressing the need to maintain non-partisanship in their roles. He encouraged open dialogue and emphasized the importance of adapting to technological advancements for ensuring transparent, credible elections. Dr. Idris emphasized that effective training of election personnel is pivotal for conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections.

The Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed, also emphasized the critical role of SPOs in effectively transferring knowledge to Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers.

The training covered various aspects, including technology-driven innovations introduced by the Commission.

These include the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System device (BVAS) for voter accreditation and the improved iREV (INEC Result Viewing Portal) for uploading Polling Unit Results. SPOs were introduced to INEC e-School, INEC Training BOT, and INEC Security Alert and Notification System (INEC-SANS) to ensure the safety of INEC staff and facilities.

Prominent figures from INEC and TEI graced the opening ceremony, including the Administrative Secretary of INEC Kogi State, Mallam Shehu Baba, HOD E-Operations Department, Mr. Abdulwaheed Sani, TEI/HQ Trainers, and Management Staff of the Electoral Institute. This training is poised to bolster the capacity of SPOs and pave the way for a transparent, credible #KogiDecides2023 Election.