The Independent National Electoral Commission has cautioned the public against individuals circulating fake appointment and nomination letters they claim INEC issued.

According to a statement by INEC spokesman in Sokoto, Hassan Sarki-Gendane, on Tuesday, some unscrupulous individuals are circulating fake appointment and nomination letters, falsely claiming to have been appointed by the commission’s chairman, Joash Amupitan.

Mr Sarki-Gendane said the purported letters contain appointments to positions including state coordinator of Local Government R-TECH, electoral officers, and assistant electoral officers.

He said the commission dissociated itself from those individuals and the purported letters.

“The general public is hereby advised to exercise caution and not to engage with, or make any payments to, persons presenting such documents,” the statement said.

Mr Sarki-Gendane stressed that INEC would not demand money from individuals in exchange for appointments or to conduct elections.

He further urged anyone who encountered individuals circulating fake letters or soliciting money in the name of INEC to report them immediately to the nearest security agency or INEC office for appropriate action.

He reiterated the commitment of the resident electoral commissioner in Sokoto, Umar Yusuf-Garba, to conducting free, fair, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections.

Mr Sarki-Gendane further urged the public to rely only on official INEC communication channels for information concerning appointments, recruitment, and electoral activities.

(NAN)