'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Electoral Institute (TEI) in preparation for the upcoming Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled for November 16, 2024, hosted a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) session.
The training held at the TEI Auditorium, the session brought together key stakeholders and experts focused on equipping trainers with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct further training for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), Presiding Officers (POs), and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs) who will oversee the election process.
The Chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute and National Commissioner, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, underscored the importance of the ToT session as the first essential step in the cascade training plan designed to ensure a smooth and credible election in Ondo State. Prof. Zuru tasked the trainers to thoroughly master all procedures related to election day activities, emphasizing that the success of the election heavily relies on their ability to train the SPOs and POs/APOs effectively. He thanked the participants, a mix of TEI and Headquarters trainers, for their dedication and readiness to lead this important task.
Dr. Sa'ad Umar Idris, the Director General of the Electoral Institute, opened his remarks by urging participants to embrace new initiatives introduced by the Commission to enhance election transparency and inclusivity. The DG highlighted the importance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for voter accreditation, as well as the scanning and uploading of Polling Unit results to the improved INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), both of which aim to promote free, fair, and credible elections.
Dr. Idris praised the performance of poll officials in the recently concluded Edo State Governorship election, which received positive feedback from stakeholders. He called on trainers to build upon this success in Ondo State, urging them to ensure quality and thorough step-down training for the election personnel, which he stressed is crucial to achieving optimal performance.
The training session was attended by several key figures, including the Director of Training, Director of Research and Documentation, Director of Gender and Inclusivity, and the Acting Administrative Secretary of the Institute, Mr. Tony Ezomo. Also present were representatives from the ICT Department, including Mr. Tunde Ajayi and Mr. Bolaji Oje from Electoral Operations, who played a significant role in the hands-on practical sessions.
Participants received presentations on critical aspects of the electoral process, including the INEC E-School, INEC Training Bot, Basic Election Technology (EOSC), and Inclusivity measures. A hands-on practical session on BVAS operations was conducted by the ICT Department, allowing trainers to become proficient in the technology that will play a central role in the upcoming election.
Presentations also covered INEC-SANS and the INEC Training Reporting and Coordination Tools, providing trainers with essential resources for monitoring and reporting. The emphasis on inclusivity reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensure all segments of society can participate fully in the election.
The ToT session represents a critical phase in the preparation for the Ondo State election, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficiency. By equipping trainers with the necessary tools and skills, TEI aims to ensure that election officials on the ground are well-prepared, leading to a credible election that upholds the principles of democracy in Nigeria.
