Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has assured that National Youth Corps Members with disabilities will be engaged as Presiding Officers for the 2023 General Election.

Prof. Yakubu gave the assurance when he led a delegation comprising National Commissioners, Directors and the technical team to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja on a courtesy visit.

He said  as  an equal opportunities employer , INEC want to give every Nigerian the opportunity not only to vote, irrespective of circumstances like a physical challenge, but also to participate in the conduct of elections where necessary.

According to the Chairman, the Commission during tbe Osun State Governorship election included corps members who had physical disabilities as ad-hoc staff for the governorship election and spoke to the security agencies, political parties, and the communities to protect these corps members.

He noted these said Corp Members discharged their duties like every other Nigerian. 

Prof Yakubu also commended the management of the NYSC for its consistent support of the Commission over the years, pledging  that the Commission would continue to operate within the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commission and the NYSC. 

He assured that INEC would continue to place a high premium on the security of corps members on election duty.

Responding, the Acting Director General of the NYSC, Mrs Christy Uba pledged that the NYSC would continue to partner with INEC to deliver its mandate. 

 She further  disclosed that the NYSC management had directed State Coordinators to encourage corps members to register 2023 elections on the INEC Portal before the deadline . 

She also assured corps members and staff of the commitment of NYSC/INEC to their safety while on election duty.