Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plans to offer online training and certification to those enlisted as informal staff in future elections.

Officials from the electoral body say this is part of concerted efforts to professionalise electoral duties and, thereby, enhance the integrity of elections in Nigeria.

T Electoral Institute (TEI), a training and research agency of INEC, is planned to conduct the programme, says Kayode Idowu, the chief press secretary to INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega,

“When the programme comes on stream, those with such certification will stand a better chance of being recruited as ad hoc staff in future elections,” Idowu said.

Professor Jega said a lack of professionalism among electoral staff is a key challenge confronting the INEC in its quest to enhance democracy.