THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned its adhoc staff in Benue State against compromising the credibility of the gubernatorial and state assembly polls.
The Commission said it was “deeply troubled” by the perception that some adhoc staff in the state “work at the behest of politicians” to influence the outcome of the elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 16, the state’s Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Samuel Agwu warned that INEC will prosecute officers at polling units and collation centres who “deliberately” undermine the polls rescheduled for Saturday, 18th February.
“For the avoidance of doubt, section 120 of 2022 Electoral Act provides provides that officers on election duty who, without lawful excuse, commit acts or omits to act in breach of official duty for which they have sworn an oath of neutrality will be prosecuted, and, if convicted shall be imprisoned.
“This applies to all the ad hoc mentioned above. The term of imprisonment is three (3) years for collation officers and twelve months for presiding officers and other polling level staff”, parts of the statement read.
Agwu, a professor also warned political parties and agents “who conspire” to make or publish false declaration of election results other than the one announced by INEC.
Meanwhile, the Benue state’s REC commended the Nigeria Police for “promptly” completing investigations into alleged offences committed during the February 25th presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
Sinafi Omanga is a multimedia journalist and researcher with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. He has a keen interest in humanitarian reporting, social justice, and environment.
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@OmangaSinafi
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