There are indications that the scheduled governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, this year, would go ahead atfer all, in spite of the threatening Coronavirus pandemic as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ordered its offices in the two states to reopen “immediately” in preparation for the upcoming governorship elections scheduled for September 19 and October 10, respectively.
INEC gave the directive, on Wednesday, in its “Guidelines for Resumption after COVID-19 Lockdown” released via Facebook.
The INEC directed its staff to work three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 8:00am and 2:00pm while advising those who do not have personal means of transportation to work from home.
The statement said, “Ondo and Edo State offices should reopen immediately due to the upcoming gubernatorial elections in consultation with the relevant State Governments for issuance of necessary permits.
“Funds required to meet the hygiene protocols (decontamination, hand sanitisers, etc) will be made available to these two state offices as soon as possible and to all other state offices as the need arises.
“All staff above age 58 with underlying medical conditions (hypertension, diabetes, asthma, renal and hepatic diseases) should work from home.
“Pregnant staff and nursing mothers should work from home.”
The Commission also advised its state and Local Government offices nationwide to maintain high hygiene standards, observe social distancing, and ensure persons without face masks were not allowed into any of its premises.
