The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated that there is a limit to what it can do to reduce vote buying during national elections, Charmingpro reports
Professor Mohammed Sani Adam, the INEC Commissioner representing Niger, Kogi, and Kwara States in North Central Nigeria, made the assertions in Minna, Niger State, during a visit to monitor the state’s ongoing voter registration exercise.
Prof Adam explained that vote buying is a national issue, a sociological problem, and a dimension that jeopardizes Nigeria’s electoral process.
“There are anti-corruption agencies like the ICPC and the EFCC, as well as other security apparatus that are basically saddled with the responsibility of monitoring criminal activities; ours is to conduct elections, not monitor criminals.”
“INEC has nothing to do with vote buying; all INEC can do is ensure that the polls are free, fair, and all-encompassing, and that polling units, security, materials, and the polling process are fully observed in accordance with the electoral act,” he said.
The INEC Commissioner also warned religious and traditional leaders across the country not to sell their votes during elections, while advising politicians to always form the habit of accepting defeat during elections.
“The problem with most politicians in the country is that they don’t always see political offices as a means of selfish aggrandisement or acquiring wealth as the only business of the day, and that required winning elections by any means,”.
Professor Adam stated.
He also revealed that more funds have been released to enhance INEC activities across Nigeria in order to meet the 31st July deadline for closing voter registration.
Prof. Adam praised the people of Niger State for their massive turnout for the voter registration exercise, adding that the Commission has set up a special scheme to ensure that all IDPs in the country are registered to vote in the general elections.