INEC warns politicians fighting back in their bid to win at all costs
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Politicians are fighting back against structures being built to prevent vote buying and rigging in 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has claimed, also citing their efforts to thwart the security agencies.
Although it is not easy to root out the negative influence of money on elections, INEC is determined to tackle it, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu pledged at a summit convened in Abuja to brainstorm the influence of money in elections.
Those who attended the summit were drawn from security and anti-graft agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs), financial institutions, and the media.
“We fully realise that today’s initiative will not go down well with people who may not be committed to the growth of our electoral system and the consolidation of our democracy. We expect them to fight back,” Yakubu said.
“I wish to reiterate that our loyalty is to Nigeria and our allegiance is to Nigerians. We are committed to working with the collaborating agencies to see that this initiative succeeds in the 2023 general elections and beyond.”
INEC is ready for covert and overt pressure, countervailing actions and even threats by vested interests, he added, urging citizens to reject vote buying.
Yakubu explained the pernicious use of money increases the likelihood of election violence due to a “win at all costs” mentality of contestants who invest fortunes in elections.
He insisted election is not a business venture for profit but an application to serve the people with the understanding they may prefer someone else.
Citizens’ choices must never be subverted by the negative use of money, he stressed, but explained the ban on cell phones at voting cubicles is still in force.
The use of Bimodal Voter Registration System (BVAS), electronic transmission of results, and public display of polling unit results through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is now permanent, he added.
“With today’s initiative, the elimination of the negative use of money in our electoral process will be tackled head-on.
“Many Nigerians have demanded to know from INEC what the commission is doing about the deleterious influence of money in elections, particularly the diabolical purchase of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from voters ahead of the election and vote buying at polling units on election day.”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Men wearing Biafra camouflages bomb INEC headquarters in Imo
No one can use another person’s PVC to vote, INEC tells politicians buying PVCs
ECOWAS looks up to Nigeria for democracy, but INEC repeats warning about violence
__________________________________________________________________
Anti-rigging measures taken
“Over the years, we introduced a number of measures, including the slight reconfiguration of our polling units to bring the ballot boxes closer to the voting cubicles to discourage the exposure of the marked ballot papers by voters to vote buyers,” Yakubu said, per reporting by The Guardian.
“We also banned the use of smart phones and photographic devices by voters in the voting cubicles. Yet, these measures have recorded limited success.
“Today, we commence yet another initiative to sanitise and strengthen our electoral process. We believe that in dealing with the corruption of our elections by money, the commission cannot do it alone.
“To succeed, we must mobilise every relevant national institution to support our effort. We must rely on the professional and other capacities of cognate agencies in our determination to improve electoral administration in Nigeria.
“That is why we appreciate the collaboration with the Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as the regulatory bodies such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
“We welcome the assurances of full collaboration, commitment and partnership of these agencies to credible elections, based on their statutory responsibilities. We look forward to their initial ideas about how to deal with the problem when they address us shortly.”