Following the successful training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the Nasarawa Central State Constituency bye-election scheduled for 8th August 2020, the Electoral Institute (TEI) on 27th July commenced the training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers (POs/APOs) in Nasarawa State.
Participants at the training were mainly National Youth Service Corps members (NYSC) serving in the State. The objective of the training is to equip the participants with the skills required to conduct polling and counting procedures efficiently and effectively and also to perform the functions of PO/APOs. Highlights of the three-day training include: Overview of the Training Agenda, Setting of Ground Rules and Administration of Pre-Test for the purpose of evaluation among others.
The training laid a foundation with a discussion on the INEC Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic, in addition to the Election Day Processes and Procedures such as Polling Day and Time, Code of Conduct for Election, the Polling Team, Election Materials and Polling Unit Layout to ensure Physical Distancing of Voters, Intermittent Disinfection of the Polling Unit as well as regular Sanitizing of Hands of Poll Officials among other topics.
This training is critical to the Commission considering that it’s the first to be conducted amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. It will serve as a test case for its new processes and procedures, including the piloting of the bi-modal accreditation system.
