The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote buying and trading ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election. The commission, describing the practice as a major threat to Nigeria's electoral integrity, revealed that about 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, following an updated register compiled from the continuous voters' registration exercise.
INEC Chairman's Warning
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Wednesday while presenting the certified voters' register to political parties in Ekiti State ahead of the June 20 governorship poll. He directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable, insisting that offenders must not be spared under the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Amupitan said vote buying remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria's electoral process, stressing that it is a criminal offence that must be addressed through strict enforcement.
He said: "I also want to reiterate that one of the major challenges and constraints of our electoral process is the issue of vote buying or vote trading. This is a criminal offence under the electoral acts and it is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies, especially the EFCC, the ICPC and the police, to ensure that those that are involved in it are arrested and promptly prosecuted.
"It is the responsibility of INEC to prosecute. Therefore, we urge all political parties to please refrain from this issue of vote trading because it is a big minus to the electoral process in Nigeria. So, on these notes, I want to thank all of you for your attention and to assure you that together we will build democracy in Nigeria and Nigeria will be better for it."
Commitment to Free and Fair Elections
INEC, he added, remains committed to conducting free, fair and transparent elections, but noted that political parties and voters also have critical roles to play. He disclosed that the updated register reflects an increase of about 66,000 new voters compared to the 2023 general election in Ekiti, when about 900,000 voters were registered.
Amupitan assured stakeholders that improvements in election technology, including faster results transmission, would be sustained, citing previous off-cycle elections as examples.
"It is the responsibility of INEC to conduct free, credible, and transparent elections. But let me say that INEC cannot do it alone. It is a shared responsibility. So the political parties will have their own role to play in this very important constitutional assignment.
"While it is the responsibility of INEC to comply and perform its statutory duties under the Constitution, including the conduct of elections, registration of voters, publications and presentations of registered voters, it is the responsibility of political parties to also mobilise these registered voters to come out and vote on the day of election."
Peace Accord and Preparations
He also announced that a peace accord would be signed by political parties on Thursday, urging stakeholders to commit to peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Sam Olumekun, said the publication and presentation of the register was aimed at ensuring transparency and allowing political parties to verify and raise objections within the legal window. He reaffirmed INEC's neutrality, stressing that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised and no ineligible name would appear on the register.
Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said preparations for the election were in top gear, adding that the state was fully ready for the poll.
