The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said directed its employees below 58 years to resume work as the offices open on Monday, May 11.
The national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, Mr. Festus Okoye said in a statement that the commission met Thursday and deliberated on protocols for the resumption of activities and operations.
He said staff above the age of 57 and others with serious underlining illness were told not resume duty yet.
“Only the staff below 58 years of age with no serious underlying health issues will resume, while pregnant women, nursing mothers and all other staff with underlying health conditions should remain at home for the time being,” he said.
Okoye said the commission would issue comprehensive guidelines for the first phase of its resumption in compliance with the directives of the federal government and health authorities.
He added that the guidelines will be posted on its notice boards and uploaded on the website on Monday.
He also said some other resolutions included carrying out a comprehensive decontamination of its national headquarters, the annex at Blantyre Street, the Electoral Institute and its Area 10 office housing its staff clinic.
Okoye further said the commission would follow the federal government’s guidelines on resumption protocols and procedure by providing infrared thermometers, soap, and water at entrances and installing hand sanitiser dispensers at strategic points in its office.
He also said INEC would train its staff, particularly the cleaners and office assistants, on cleaning protocols and strict compliance with the federal government’s guidelines as well as its own specific protocols for resumption.
“National commissioners, directors and other designated staff of the various departments will resume at the national headquarters on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, after the decontamination of the premises and provision of necessary amenities as outlined earlier in this statement,” he added.
He also said the commission had also discussed preparations for the conduct of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections and other pending legislative bye-elections.
Besides, he said INEC would resume engagement with political parties, civil society groups and organisations, the media and other stakeholders in relation to the governorship elections.
“The modalities for these engagements will be worked out and considered at its next meeting on May 14, 2020,” the commission stated.
