News update : Vote Buying Is Cancer To Our Elections – INEC Chairman

Vote Buying Is Cancer To Our Elections – INEC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has described votes buying as “cancer” to Nigeria’s electoral process. Yakubu stated this on Thursday at the presentation of certificates to 21 out of the 23 newly registered political parties in Abuja, the nation’s capital. “Votes buying is cancer to our elections that we must work together collectively to stamp out,” he said.

According to the INEC boss, the commission is deeply worried about a situation whereby political agents woo voters with cash during elections; a development local observers said characterised the Ekiti Governorship polls on July 14. In view of its negative effect of vote-buying on the electoral process, Professor Yakubu said he was committed to curbing it. He vowed that INEC would not tolerate vote buying in the forthcoming Osun State governorship exercise slated for September 22, 2018.

In doing this, the electoral umpire will collaborate with security agencies in identifying, arresting and prosecuting both givers and receivers of cash inducement in the election. 

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