EC to provide free nose masks at polling stations in rural communities

The Electoral Commission (EC) says it will provide nose masks at polling stations in the rural communities across the country.

Speaking at a press on Sunday (6 December), chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa said: “We wish we could have provided it [nose masks] for all and this is being responsive, it was not planned. There have been concerns about persons who may not be able to afford it, who may show up at some of the polling stations.

“And in a bid not to disenfranchise them, we have made arrangements to have masks in those rural polling stations to ensure that should anybody appear without a mask they will be afforded the opportunity to vote.”

Jean Mensa added: “However, we are of the view that with the extensive education that we have put out on the safety protocols, we are very hopeful that most people will show up in their nose masks”

Earlier, the Electoral Commission (EC) announced the recruitment of COVID-19 ambassadors to each of the 33,367 voter register exhibition centres to ensure COVID-19 protocols are adhered to throughout the eight-day exercise.

The ambassadors will be deployed to all centres nationwide from tomorrow, September 18, 2020, to ensure strict observance to COVID-19 protocols.

The chairperson of the EC said the COVID-19 ambassadors were among over 73,000 exhibition supervisors recruited and deployed to oversee the exercise.

“The Commission is desirous of ensuring the safety and security of its stakeholders. As a result, we have recruited one COVID-19 ambassador to each of the 33,367 exhibition centres. And they have been tasked to ensure adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols in the centres,” she added.

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