The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in vote buying, describing it as a criminal offence under the Electoral Act.
Amupitan made the call in a video while charging security and anti-corruption agencies to take stronger action against electoral fraud, stressing that institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force must ensure offenders are brought to justice.
“Vote buyers must be arrested and prosecuted. It is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act. It is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, especially the EFCC, ICPC, and the police, to ensure that those involved are arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The INEC chairman also urged political parties to desist from engaging in vote trading, warning that the practice undermines the credibility of elections and weakens democratic governance.
“We urge all political parties to refrain from vote trading,” he added.
