(a) IdentiMive officials used in the conduct of election on the polling day. (b) State one function of each of the officials identified in (a).

Answer Details

(a) Five officials used in the conduct of an election on polling day, and (b) one function of each.

1. Presiding Officer: He is in charge of a polling station. His function is to take custody of the electoral materials, conduct the poll in an orderly manner, and announce and record the result at that station.
2. Poll (Polling) Clerk: He assists the presiding officer. His function is to check voters against the register, mark their names and issue ballot papers to accredited voters.
3. Ballot Box Attendant / Voting-Point Officer: His function is to guard the ballot box and ensure that each accredited voter drops only one ballot paper into the correct box after voting.
4. Security Officer (Police): His function is to maintain law and order at the polling station and to protect the voters, officials and electoral materials against violence or disruption.
5. Party Agent (Polling Agent): Appointed by a political party, his function is to observe the conduct of the poll on behalf of his party and to safeguard its interest by ensuring that the exercise is free and fair.

Other officials that may be present include electoral observers, whose function is to monitor the election and report on whether it was free and fair.