National Electoral Commission, INEC has announced the setting up of an investigation panel to probe into allegations making the rounds that its staff collect money before registering voters.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Enugu Mr. Emeka Ononamadu in a statement made available to the media assured that the outcome of the probe and its report will be made public immediately it is ready.
He also assured that INEC will appropriately punish any staff found culpable of extorting registrants “because all materials required for hitch free Continuos Voter Registration exercise have been provided.
“INEC Enugu is aware of the video circulating in the social media, which suggests that some registrants are asked to pay money before they are registered.
“INEC Enugu wishes to dissociate itself from that act as there was no time or circumstance that could warrant any INEC Registration officer or staff to demand money from any registrant.
“However, INEC has taken steps to unravel the allegations and those behind the act by setting up an investigation panel.”
Ononamadu reassured the people that the Continuos Voter Registration, which includes transfer of voters, replacement of lost and defaced permanent voters cards, remain free.
He urged the people not to pay any money to anyone for registration as INEC prepare to commence the second phase.
“We don’t collect money before registering voters”- INEC
