INEC Collaborates With EFCC, ICPC To Curb Vote Buying Ahead Of Governorship Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that the commission has collaborated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to curb voting buying ahead of November 16 governorship polls.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at a quarterly consultative meeting with political parties ahead of the November 16 polls.
Yakubu noted that the antigraft agencies would monitor cash flow during campaigns adding that, in the last general election a number of voter buyers were arrested by the antigraft agencies and sone have been charged to court.
The chairman also stressed the commission’s resolve to deepen its collaboration with the antigraft agencies ahead of the governorship polls in Kogi and Bayelsa state.
He said “We are going to deepen our collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in this respect.
“They will keep eyes on the movement of cash during electioneering campaign and on election day.
“On this note, I am very happy to report that during the 2019 general elections, alleged voter buyers were arrested across the country by EFCC, while some have been charged to courts.
“The latest update I received indicates that the EFCC has secured the first conviction of vote buyers in Gombe State. This is a welcome development.
“Similarly, about two weeks ago, the commission received some case files from the Nigerian Police on alleged offenders, generally during the 2019 general elections.
“We are studying the case files for further necessary action.”
The chairman in his address also cautioned the staff of the commission against partisanship during the election.