The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “take responsibility and end impunity for vote-buying and undue influence in Nigeria’s elections by immediately ensuring the arrest and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of these criminal acts in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election ahead of next year’s general election” under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Charmingpro reports.
SERAP made the announcement in a letter signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare on Saturday.
Recall that there have been reports of blatant vote-buying and electoral bribery in several polling units, particularly by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the Osun Governorship election on Saturday.
Vote trading was also observed in several polling places.
“If INEC fails to act, vote buying, electoral bribery, and undue influence will remain a permanent feature of Nigeria’s elections because corrupt politicians and their sponsors will continue to engage in these criminal acts with impunity,” according to SERAP’s statement.
“This would encourage others to follow suit, and the long-term implications of such an impunity culture for the 2023 general elections cannot be overstated.”
“Impunity for vote buying, electoral bribery, and undue influence will continue unless INEC can demonstrate leadership by carrying out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities satisfactorily to remove the stain of electoral bribery that now afflicts Nigeria’s elections.”
