The Digest:
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Joash Amupitan has warned that vote buying will not be tolerated in the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections. Speaking at a high-level stakeholders' forum in Abuja, Amupitan said EFCC and ICPC operatives would be deployed to deter vote trading, stressing: "Any individual found buying or selling votes will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law." Over 1.6 million registered voters are expected across 2,822 polling units, with 570 candidates contesting 68 positions. BVAS will be deployed in all polling units, with results uploaded in real time to IReV. Amupitan assured INEC's neutrality, stating: "INEC does not have a political party and does not have a preferred candidate." 89 observer groups and 700 journalists have been accredited.
Key Points:
- The anti-vote-buying stance aims to protect electoral integrity and public confidence.
- EFCC/ICPC presence signals serious consequences for electoral offences.
- Voters gain assurance of cleaner polls, while offenders face prosecution.
- This reflects INEC's commitment to credible elections despite logistical challenges.
- The timing, days before the poll, serves as final warning to potential offenders.
Sources: The Cable
