'APPOINT LECTURERS AS RETURNING OFFICERS'

A group, Organisation of Unemployed in Nigeria, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission to appoint university lecturers as presiding and returning officers in the 2011 elections.

The group's position was made known through its National President, Mr. Olady Mbaba, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday.

Mbaba said the involvement of lecturers would reduce the level of electoral fraud.

He explained that university teachers would not be inclined to participate in electoral malpractices because of the likely consequences.

Mbaba urged INEC to compile a list of its officials that were involved in the 2007 failed elections and send to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke for prosecution.

'To make the 2011 elections more credible, INEC officials should be posted out of their states to neighbouring states during the elections, Mbaba said.