As part of efforts to fight against negative use of money in the country’s electoral processes, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called on Nigerians to report cases to the Commission and other agencies.
Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu who stated this on Monday in Abuja at a Stakeholders Summit on addressing the influence of money on the 2023 general election, also that the concerted actions of citizens are crucial. Citizens must reject inducements to sway their votes through vote buying.
Speaking emphatically, Yakubu said, “Citizens must also join in this fight, In addition, civil society organizations should make this a major plank of both their pre-election and election observation activities. Financial institutions, religious organizations, traditional institutions, the media, civic bodies and, above all.
Speaking on the use of phone by Nigerians at polling units, Yakubu said, ” Let me seize this opportunity to remind the public that the ban on cell phones at voting cubicles is still in force.
“We have for some time now reorganised our Polling Units so that ballot boxes are placed next to the voting cubicles to forestall the practice by unscrupulous voters of showing their marked ballot papers to vote buyers.
“We appeal to voters to draw the attention of our polling officials wherever they observe that these basic rules are not complied with.”
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. There will be both covert and overt pressure, countervailing actions and even threats by these vested interests. 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 Election and beyond.
“The Commission’s resolve to continue to employ both technology and administrative measures to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process. I assure Nigerians that preparation for the 2023 General Election is on course and we shall not be swayed from that course. Be assured that the BVAS has come to stay.
“Electronic transmission of results has come to stay. Public display of Polling Unit results through the IReV has come to stay. With today’s initiative, the elimination of the negative use of money in our electoral process will be tackled head-on.”
Speaking at the summit, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, Bala Chiroma, stated that apart from electoral violence, thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes, one key issue affecting the credibility of elections in Nigeria today is the use of money to try and tilt the outcome of the elections, with consequential negative effects of poor governance and denying the public good governance as they are most likely not the best candidates.
According to him, the Nigerian Police cannot rule out attempts to entice the political umpires/ security agents with money to influence the outcome of elections, however, concerted efforts are being made by the Nigeria police as the lead agency in electoral security management, to ensure that the use of money is not allowed to influence the 2023 general elections or at least ensure that this menace is brought to the barest minimum.
On his part, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council and the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Party, Sani Yabagi, called on Nigerians to rally round only candidates capable of repositioning the country, rather than politicians desirous of buying their way to power.
