From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Benue state, Professor Samuel Egwu, has cautioned all election officers; adhoc staff and party agents, to shun any act that is capable of undermining the credibility of the Saturday Governorship and State Assembly elections in the state or risk imprisonment.
Egwu gave this warning in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
He said “The Commission in Benue State is deeply troubled by the widely shared perception that some persons appointed as ad hoc staff in positions such as Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs}, Collation Officers (COs) and polling level staff (Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers), work at the behest of politicians with the aim of influencing outcome of elections.
He stated that the Commission frowns at conduct of ad hoc staff who deliberately seek to undermine the credibility of election vowing that anyone found guilty of such acts would be prosecuted according to the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 120 of the 2022 Electoral Act provides that officers on election duty who, without lawful excuse, commit acts or omit to act in breach of official duty for which they have sworn to 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 years for collation officers and 12 months for presiding officers and other polling level staff.”
He also noted that the section equally applies to political parties and their party agents who conspire to make false declaration of results or publish any election results other than the one announced by the Commission.
The REC commended the Nigerian Police for promptly completing investigations into alleged electoral offences committed by some persons during the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Benue state.
He again warned that anyone found wanting in the Governorship election would not be spared.
