The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Benue State, has queried two of its members of Staff for Allegedly demanding payment from registrants in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR.
The commission in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by its Administrative Secretary, in Benue State, Shehu Abdulwahab, in Makurdi said the attention of the Commission was drawn to reports that two of its Staff in Oju Local Government Area (LGA), were alleged to have demanded payment of a fee before registering citizens as voters in the local government.
The Commission in the statement expressed deep concern over the development noting that provisions had been made to INEC officials across the State to ensure hitch-free exercise at no cost to the citizens.
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The statement stated that as an immediate measure to arrest the ugly situation, the commission has withdrawn the two Staff from the field, issued them queries and replaced them with another set of staff.
Abdulwahab, who did not disclosed the identity of those involved, said all the Electoral Officers in the 23 LGA Offices in the State had been directed to warn their staff to desist from extorting money from registrants before registering them.
INEC however restated its commitment to the people of Benue State adding that voter registration is absolutely free.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
