Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Nasarawa State has withdrawn registration officers deployed to Keana Local Government Area of the state over alleged extortion of eligible voters.
Acting Head of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC in the state Mr. Ibrahim Onawo stated this during a news briefing in Lafia the Nasarawa state capital.
Mr. Ibrahim Onawo stated that the action was to ascertain the level of involvement of the affected officials in the alleged extortion of eligible voters in the area.
He pointed out that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Dr. Uthman Ajidagba directed the immediate setting up of a committee headed by the Administrative Secretary Mr. Wada Edibo to investigate the matter with a view to taking punitive measures against any erring official.
Mr. Ibrahim Onawo also noted that a new set of registration officers had been deployed to the Local Government to continue with the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.
The INEC Spokesperson however maintained that registration remains free and called on eligible voters to report to any INEC office or security agencies in the state, officers who demand for money before attending to them for prompt action.
Kudugu community in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa state had decried alleged extortion by INEC officials deployed to the area to register eligible voters in the ongoing Continuous Voter’s Registration.
RN
