In order to reduce vote buying during elections in the nation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During a farewell program/media briefing yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr Mutiu Agboke, acknowledged that vote-buying is a significant headache for INEC. He warned politicians to refrain from the act in future elections and said anyone arrested for buying votes during elections would be prosecuted.
The general elections in 2023 will be transparent, credible, free, and fair, according to Agboke’s assurance. Additionally, he urged the political class and security organizations to keep working together to combat the threat of vote-buying in the nation.
In order for any voter to participate in the upcoming election, he urged state citizens to obtain their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), noting that “the current voting system is such that no electorate shall be able to vote without a PVC under any condition.”
“INEC has phased out the use of Smart Card Readers and Incident forms,” Agboke added.
