The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rivers State has confirmed that one of its security guards attached to its Obio/Akpor Area office has been arrested by agents of the Department of State Security, DSS for alleged extorting money from members of the public registering for permanent voter’s cards, PVC.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner INEC, Obo Effanga,who spoke through the Public Affairs officer, Geraldine Ekelemu, said the commission has zero tolerance to acts of extortion by its staff and would ensure that the security agencies investigate the matter and any other allegations of illegality by its officials to ensure that every infraction is redressed and punished.
The Commissioner, however, advised the public to avoid acts of desperation that could render them vulnerable to fraudsters taking advantage of them, while encouraging people to report any attempts at extortion to INEC or the security agencies.
He also said INEC offices in the State are open and attending to potential registrants as registration of PVC is ongoing in designated locations in some wards on a rotational basis.
