The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned electoral officers and ad-hoc staff towards Saturday governorship election in Osun State against collecting money from politicians.
INEC Information and Voter Education officer, Mr Festus Okoye gave the warning at a media briefing in Osogbo on Wednesday, saying erring officers would be sanctioned.
He said presiding officers have been trained to be professional and ethical in the conduct of their duties, stressing that staff have adequately been provided for regarding their allowances.
Okoye said the commission would be partnering with security agencies to ensure the officers do not compromise standards on Election Day.
“They should know they are not supposed to collect anything from politicians. It’s against the law and against the rule for them to do that. The commission will apply the necessary sanctions if any presiding officer or any electoral officer or ad-hoc staff does anything that compromises his or her integrity.”
Okoye enjoined media practitioners to be objective in their reportage of election stories, even as he appealed to journalists to always cross-check their facts before reporting in order not to run afoul of the laid down principles by the commission.
He reiterated INEC’s determination to conduct a free, fair and credible poll in the state and urged all stakeholders to assist the commission in delivering on its mandate.
Dominica Nwabufo
