The Independent National Election Commission (INEC), the country’s electoral arbiter, has ordered its officials who were found wanting during the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections to refrain from participating in the March 11 gubernatorial and state assembly elections.
The Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) met on Saturday in Abuja, according to information obtained by The Quest Times from INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who announced this decision during the meeting.
“As we approach the governorship and state assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians.
“All the staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including collation and returning officers (ROs), must not be involved in the upcoming elections.
“RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established” Yakubu said.
The INEC Chairman said that Saturday’s meeting was the third to be held in less than two months and that, like the previous two, it was called to talk on how the General Election of 2023 will be conducted.
Yakubu  said he appreciated the sacrifice and doggedness of Nigerians and the dignity and maturity displayed by political leaders even in the context of divergent views about the election while adding that a lot of lessons had been learned.
He further noted that what was of immediate concern to the commission is how  identified challenges can be addressed as the nation approaches the concluding phase of the general election involving the largest number of constituencies; 28 state governorship elections and 993 state houses of assembly seats.