INEC reveals plans to tackle vote buying

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has revealed plans to tackle vote buying and vote trading ahead of the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

Amupitan said the commission had placed security and anti-corruption agencies on alert to curb the menace.

“We specifically charged the Nigeria Police, the EFCC, and also the ICPC to be on guard so that we can arrest the menace of vote-buying and what some people call ‘vote trading’,” he said.

The INEC chairman spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while hosting a delegation from the National Peace Committee.

He assured that the commission would act swiftly on security intelligence and risk assessments presented by the committee.

“You have presented to us a great piece of information. We are not going to take it for granted. We are going to be sharing this with our security department so that we can at least take this information and take the necessary steps that we are supposed to take,” Amupitan added.

He announced that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) would receive “special scrutiny and attention,” alongside Bwari and Kuje Area Councils, based on concerns raised.

Amupitan also noted that political activities this year are crucial, describing it “as our preparatory year for the 2027 general election.”

The National Peace Committee identified AMAC, Gwagwalada, Bwari, Kuje and Kwali as areas requiring heightened vigilance, citing concerns including vote-buying tendencies, political thuggery, communal tensions and insecurity.