Vote Buyers And Sellers Cannot Go Unpunished In 2023 – Jega

Former chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega has come out to call for the prosecution of vote buyers ahead of the next election.

He recently had his say while speaking to the press, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to him, Nigeria should seek significant electoral process reforms by ensuring the criminalization of vote buying and selling, as well as delegate inducements with strict enforcement of penalties.

Jega added that INEC and CSOs should develop and promote a programme of education on the new Electoral Act so that the voting public and other interested stakeholders will have a full understanding of the provisions of the Act.

It read, “Vote buying and selling, as well as delegate inducements, should be criminalized with strict enforcement of penalties through collaborative efforts amongst relevant agencies including Police, EFCC, ICPC, and INEC.”

“Further amendment of the Electoral Act is required in some key areas including the delegate selection process to ensure the quality of delegates, and address vote buying and selling, amongst others.”

“INEC and CSOs should develop and promote a programme of education on the new Electoral Act so that the voting public and other interested stakeholders have a full and much better understanding of the provisions of the Act.”

“Firm, consistent, and uniform enforcement of the Electoral Act and INEC’s regulations and guidelines to ensure fairness and equity. INEC should ensure parties submit membership register and delegate lists (situations of indirect primaries) timely to enable proper verification of the names submitted. And only primaries monitored by INEC should be accepted.”

“There is a need for the reform of the process of candidates’ emergence with a specific focus on the quality of delegates that would participate in the selection of candidates (party primaries). Beyond the election period, there is a need for a deeper and more regular public education on the Electoral Act INEC’s regulations and guidelines and the electoral procedures by INEC, parties, CSOs, and National Orientation Agency.”