The issue of alleged vote buying during elections in Nigeria has suddenly become a very disturbing source of worry for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission accused politicians who could not subvert its administrative processes had resulted to vote buying and selling.
National Commissioner and Head of Legal Services, INEC, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, said this at the public presentation of Election Monitor’s (EM) observation report on Ekiti governorship election, in Abuja, on Monday.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu said INEC will work with relevant stakeholders to curb the practice.
She said: “The commission is deeply concerned about the rising phenomenon of vote buying during elections and is determined to continue to work with all stakeholders, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary among others to find solutions to this menace.
“Our own administrative processes can no longer be subverted. Vote buying therefore is the only way to subvert the integrity of an election.
“Indeed as part of this process and in conjunction with the European Union Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), INEC legal officers across the country, together with selected police officers will be trained over the next three months on the prosecution of electoral offences.
“We will also intensify voter education as this damaging trend has got to be stopped in its tracks.”
She said it was the responsibility of INEC to prosecute electoral offenders, including those involved in buying and selling votes as well as announcement of false results as stipulated in its Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
She, however, added that the commission lacked the powers to investigate and arrest offenders.
“There are several provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, criminalising bribery and corruption relating to voting during elections, including Sections 124, 126, 129 and 130.
“INEC has continued to perfect its processes and has closed all loopholes. Results cannot now be written and neither can ballot boxes be gainfully snatched as the results will automatically be cancelled,” she added.
National Coordinator, EM, Abiodun Ajijola, urged the commission to find solution to vote buying before the conduct of Osun state governorship elections in September.
He commended INEC on increased use of card readers in Ekiti governorship election.
“Vote buying needs to be stopped. It will be very sad if what happened in Ekiti is repeated in Osun governorship elections in September,” he added.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
