INEC denies allegations of Ad-hoc staff replacement

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Bayelsa State, has denied allegations that it replaced trained ad-hoc staff with unknown individuals for the November 11 governorship election.

INEC’s response comes after an online social media statement alleged that the Commission had dropped shortlisted and trained ad-hoc staff in favour of unknown individuals.

INEC, in a statement, stated that the allegations are false and that those who were successful in the recruitment exercise were contacted, trained, and camped at Registration Area Centers (RACS) a night before election day.

“I wish to state here that it is not true that names of trained personnel who applied were substituted with individuals from unknown source as claimed in the statement,” INEC said

The Commission noted that it has a strict process for recruiting, training, and shortlisting ad-hoc personnel and that it would not compromise this process.

INEC also urged stakeholders and the public to be wary of similar unfounded rumours that may be circulated.