"Our staff members do not need to search for anything on the internet. All they need to do is to give people their voter cards."

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia State has cautioned its staff members to shun sharp practices during the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution.

The INEC's Head, Public Affairs Unit in Abia, Bamidele Oyetunji, issued the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Monday.

Mr Oyetunji said the commission frowns at receiving or demanding gratification from the public while performing their duties.

"Our staff members do not need to search for anything on the internet. All they need to do is to give people their voter cards.

"Anybody whose card is not found or those with challenges should be given a note to verify online by themselves," Mr Oyetunji said.

NAN reports that some residents of Aba have accused some INEC officials of collecting N500 from prospective voters before issuing them their cards.

A resident, Ijeoma Bernard, said she was asked to pay N500 as a "verification fee" before she was given her card.

Another resident, Nwanyioma Enyinnaya, said the INEC officials refused to attend to her because she could not pay.

One resident, Iheanaetu Roseline, expressed worries that her card could not be found after the stress she passed through to get registered.

NAN reports that at Osisioma and Aba North Local Government Areas, residents turned out en masse to collect their cards.

The Abia State Government declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays to enable workers to collect their PVCs ahead of the general elections.