The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State, has refuted an allegation that the commission’s staff was extorting money from citizens to get registered in the on-going Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the state. It advised citizens not to pay money to anyone before and after being registered.
According to the statement, the Commission’s attention had been drawn to a video circulating on social media platforms, suggesting that some registrants were asked to pay money before they were registered – an act it strongly condemned and assured that investigation into the allegation was ongoing.
“INEC Enugu State wishes to dissociate itself from the claim as there was no time or circumstance that could warrant any INEC registration officer or staff to demand money from any registrant.
“INEC has taken steps to unravel the allegation and those behind the act by setting up an investigation panel, whose outcome and report will be made public immediately it is ready.
‘’INEC would appropriately punish any staff found culpable of extorting registrants because all materials required for a hitch free Continuous Voter Registration have been provided”, the statement explained.
The Commission reassured citizens that the CVR exercise, which includes transfer of voter details, replacement of lost and defaced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remains free.