INEC debunks employment of ad-hoc staff through social media

THE Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oyo State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke has debunked rumour that the commission is recruiting ad-hoc staff, staff at the moment, saying though the commission will recruit staff but not at the moment and that the commission will make such known through an announcement to Nigeria.

Agboke stated this while addressing journalists at the state headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan, on the level of preparedness of the commission for the general elections coming up next year.

The REC also hinted that “tentative number of registered voters in Oyo state is 2,954,720 while 927,225 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remained uncollected at the moment.

He said: “I want to also dispel the rumour that INEC is already recruiting ad-hoc staff for 2019 election thereby asking unsuspecting members of the public to start paying one or two naira into the coffers of the commission, this is not correct and it never emanated from INEC. Members of the public should disregard it. Let me inform you again that there shall be no collection of PVC by proxy.

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“I use this medium to dispel the rumour that INEC has closed the window for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards PVCs). Collection of permanent voter card has not been suspended, it has not closed and it is still ongoing.

“Again, I want to inform members of the public that there is no truth in the rumour going around that INEC has opened a window for fresh registration of PVC so that people can start doing continuous voter registration, such information is not only unfounded but a false to report.”

Agboke also on behalf of the commission said candidates contesting the presidential election are 76 with 70 males and six females; 58 senatorial candidates from 24 political parties including 54 males and four females for three senatorial districts.

Agboke said, 39 gubernatorial candidates including 36 males and three females will be contesting for the governorship seat of the state under 39 parties while a total of 198 candidates including 174 males and 24 females are set to contest for 14 seats in the State House of Representatives under the platforms of 32 parties.

He also noted that 623 candidates including 511 males and 112 female candidates from 49 political parties will slug it out for 32 seats in the State House of Assembly.

He concluded that “the commission is currently training her staff for them to be at their optimum best and to discharge their duties effectively. The training exercise cuts across all levels and cadres in all states of the federation.”