INEC workers protest against non-payment of allowance

HUNDREDS of ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State that participated in the just-concluded general elections marched to the office of the commission in the local council area to protest against the non-payment of their N3, 000 allowances.

The Guardian learnt that what sparked the protest by the angry workers was the alleged reduction of the said money from N3, 000 to N2, 000, a development which made them to insist that they be paid in full.

Sources in the area revealed to The Guardian that one of the drivers of the commission who allegedly attempted to prevent the angry ad-hoc staff from accessing the office to register their grievances, was beaten up and his clothes torn to shreds in the process.

While the protest lasted, men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), drafted to the area to avert any breakdown of law and order prevented the protesting workers from gaining entry into the INEC area office.

Efforts by The Guardian to get the reaction of the Electoral Officer on the issue failed even as the Information Officer of INEC, Mr. Louis Ochai said he was unaware of the incident.

Ochai told The Guardian on telephone that he had travelled to Kaduna State and was just arriving Makurdi, the state capital and promised to give out more details when properly briefed.