Okwe Obi, Abuja
Following images showing corps members recruited as Ad-hoc staff for the 2019 general elections, sleeping in open fields and unhygienic environment, YoungStar Development Initiative (YDI), has tackled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
YDI, in a statement, by its Director of Media and Communication, Evarista Daudu, also lampooned INEC for not providing adequate security for them, noting that such treatment could portend danger.
Her words: “While we appreciate the magnitude of activities and acknowledge the determination of INEC in upholding its statutory duty of conducting a free, fair and credible elections, YoungStars Foundation wishes to join many Nigerians to express great disappointment at the inadequate provision made for the wellbeing of our patriotic corps members recruited to serve as INEC Ad-hoc staff during the postponed February 16, 2019, presidential and National Assembly elections,” she said.
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Daudu further called on INEC and NYSC Director-General, Brig- Gen. Sule Kazuare, to publish the Memorandum of Understanding signed detailing the welfare of corps members, calling on them to address the issues.
“The Chairman of INEC and the Director General of the NYSC should immediately address the logistics provision for corps members, by drafting and sharing with the public the logistics standards for the corps members during the February 23 and March 9, 2019, general elections.
“Both parties must promise to re-address and implement the welfare for corps members in the forthcoming elections in line with its budgetary provisions.
“Corp members should each have direct formal communication by email informing them of their welfare packages to avoid conflicting reports and malpractices.
“INEC should provide adequate security for them during the forthcoming election, and also direct security operatives not to leave them at their own peril in case of emergency, as reported in some locations during the postponed election.
“Youngstars is also demanding for a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between INEC and the NYSC regarding the welfare of corp members recruited for the election exercise.