The
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will continue
its aggressive campaign against vote buying and inducement of voters in
the country.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will continue
its aggressive campaign against vote buying and inducement of voters in
the country.
 |
| Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu |
Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, Chairman Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) stated this at an event by the Federal Road Safety
Corps (FRSC) on Thursday.
Commission (INEC) stated this at an event by the Federal Road Safety
Corps (FRSC) on Thursday.
The event was for FRSC Commanding Officers on strategic goals and issues of general elections held in Abuja.
He said that vote buying and inducement was a menace that was detrimental to democratic principle.
“We have heard about vote buying; the response is greater
sensitisation so that people will not surrender their Permanent Voter’s
Card (PVC) to vote buyers.
sensitisation so that people will not surrender their Permanent Voter’s
Card (PVC) to vote buyers.
“I appeal to media organisations to help us sensitise the public in
that respect and the security agents should help in making arrests.”
that respect and the security agents should help in making arrests.”
He explained that the election would be conducted in 1,558
constituencies with 73 candidates contesting in the Presidential
election billed for Feb. 16.
constituencies with 73 candidates contesting in the Presidential
election billed for Feb. 16.
“We have 1,066 candidates vying for 29 governorship positions; 1,904 candidates competing for 109 senatorial districts.
“Also, 4,680 candidates are vying for 360 House of Representatives
Federal Constituencies while 14,785 candidates are contesting for 991
State Constituencies,” the chairman said.
Federal Constituencies while 14,785 candidates are contesting for 991
State Constituencies,” the chairman said.
He said that the party primaries for the nomination of candidates to
various positions had been “the most acrimonious ever in the history of
Nigeria’s democracy”.
various positions had been “the most acrimonious ever in the history of
Nigeria’s democracy”.
Yakubu said that from the primaries and congresses held between
August 2018 and January 2019 the commission had so far been joined in 639
cases in court.
August 2018 and January 2019 the commission had so far been joined in 639
cases in court.
He added that no fewer than a million Nigerians have registered as adhoc staff for the conduct of the exercise.
The chairman further said that provisions had been made for albinos
and Persons With Disabilities to cast their votes with ease during the
elections.
and Persons With Disabilities to cast their votes with ease during the
elections.
NAN
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