INEC: Vote Buyers, Traders Should Be Arrested And Prosecuted

The chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in vote buying or vote trading ahead of the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election.

Speaking during the presentation of the voter register to political parties in Ekiti State, Amupitan described vote buying as one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s electoral system. He said the practice is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act and urged agencies such as the police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to ensure offenders are “arrested and promptly prosecuted.”

According to INEC, about 1.06 million registered voters are expected to participate in the Ekiti governorship election.

Amupitan also emphasized that political parties should avoid any involvement in vote trading, saying it undermines the credibility and transparency of elections in Nigeria.

“It is the responsibility of INEC to prosecute. Therefore, we urge all political parties to please refrain from this issue of vote trading because it is a big minus to the electoral process in Nigeria. 

“So, on these notes, I want to thank all of you for your attention and to assure you that together we will build democracy in Nigeria and Nigeria will be better for it”. 

He described the presentation of the voter register as a momentous day because “we are performing a constitutional and a statutory duty of the publication and presentation of the voters’ register for Ekiti State preparatory to the off-cycle governorship election that will be coming up in a month’s time. 

“The electoral act requires that 30 days before the election, the register of voters must be published and presented to the political parties. So, it is with great sense of responsibility and a sense of commitment that I stand before you today. This moment signifies a crucial step in reinforcing the integrity, the transparency, and credibility of our electoral process”. 

According to him, “the voters’ register is the foundation upon which free, fair, and credible elections are built, adding that its accuracy, completeness, and integrity are paramount to ensuring that every eligible voter’s voice is heard and that the will of the people is accurately reflected.