By Richard Ihediwa
Professor Attahiru Jega, new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has commenced the reorganisation of the commission, even as about 40 directors, who have attained retirement age, are set to be eased out of the commission.
Following directives from the new chairman, the commission is to embark on system-wide audit of the activities of its departments to enable the new administration arrive at key decisions on the structure of the electoral body ahead of the 2011 elections.
An impeccable source in the commission told Peoples Daily yesterday that out of the 61 directors of the commission, no fewer than 40 have attained retirement age and will have to leave soon.
“The new chairman has just resumed work, so he needs time to study the place and take key decisions on the way forward; but I can tell you that out of about 61 directors we have across the country, there are about 40 of them that have attained retirement age and they will have to go soon, in line with the service rules”, the source said.
Apart from retirement age, other directors are likely to leave the commission in line with the new civil rule which provides that directors who have spent eight years in the same cadre should voluntarily retire or would be compulsorily retired by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
It was however gathered that some other top officials of the commission may also be made to retire following their perceived involvement in partisan politics during the 2007 elections.
Such officials include those whose names appear in electoral petitions for alleged misconduct in electoral matters.
The imminent clean up is said to be against the backdrop of marching orders from the new INEC boss, who, at a meeting with top officials of the commission on Wednesday, stressed that INEC under him must be restructured in a way that will guarantee credible elections in 2011.
Jega was said to have emphasized to them that the commission must be guided by the rule of law, and will make no room for any compromises in the discharge of its function.
The new INEC Chairman, it was gathered, handed the same order to the national and state electoral commissioners, especially allegation of accusations that some of them were members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jega, in his maiden address to staff of the commission on Wednesday, declared his decision to embark on a comprehensive restructuring of the commission to ensure an efficient and uncompromising workforce that will make the commission truly independent and impartial, ahead of the 2011 elections.
Peoples Daily checks yesterday, show that all the departments in the commission have started preparing their materials ahead of briefing sessions with the Chairman and national commissioners next week.
When contacted, INEC Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenga, said he is not aware of the imminent retirement of officials, adding that “the new chairman just assumed duty and he is taking his time to address issues in the commission.”
