The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has debunked the rumour that the commission is recruiting an AD HOC staff for the 2019 general election through the social media platform through payment of a fixed amount.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke who dispelled the rumour at a news conference in Ibadan said though the commission will recruit staff but not at the moment and that the commission will make such known through announcement to Nigerians.

Barrister Agboke disclosed that the tentative number of registered voters in Oyo state is 2,954,720 while 927,225 PVCs remained uncollected at the moment stressing that the commission would not allow the collection of permanent voter cards by proxy.

While rolling out the numbers of candidates contesting for various posititons in the next year elections, Agboke said the state has 39 gubernatorial candidates; 36 males and three female under 39 parties while a total of 198 candidates; 58 candidates, 54 males and 4 female under 24 political parties for the senatorial election, 174 male and 24 are set to contest for 14 seats in the state House of Representatives under the platform of 32 parties, just as 623 candidates; 511 male and 112 female candidates from 49 parties will justle for 32 seats in the state House of Assembly.

He revealed that the Commission is currently training her staff for them to be at their optimum best and discharge their duties effectively during the elections saying the exercise cut across all levels and cadresin all states of the federation.

Report by Banke Kunle