Kogi Election: Group Calls For Vigilance Over Vote Buying

Less than 24 hours to the governorship election in Kogi, Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD,  has raised alarm over vote buying among leading political parties  and urged Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to be watchful.

 According to a statement by Director of CDD, Idayat Hassan said there is every indication that vote buying and other electoral irregularities would mar credible election in the state.

 He said “ CDD accredited and trained observers have been keeping a close watch on the electoral process. There are indications that a lot of money has been set aside for vote buying on Saturday.

 “Already, our observers have noted the distribution of gift items such as Ankara textile materials and rice in Lokoja and Koton Karfe Local Government Areas.

“In addition, the latest reports we are receiving from our observers indicate massive inducement of INEC Supervising Presiding Officers (SPO) across the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.”.

CDD called on anti-graft agencies particularly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to thoroughly investigate these reports in order to hold to account the perpetrators of these electoral crimes.

The group stressed that the use of financial inducement to subvert the credibility of the electoral process is antithetical to the democratic ethos.

It condemned in the strongest possible terms all forms of inducement of poll officials and reminded those involved that the electoral act frown at the practices and prescribed punishment for those involved.

 The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) expressly frowns at bribery and all forms of inducement of poll officials.

Specifically, Section 124(4) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended states: “Any person who commits the offence of bribery is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for 12 months or both”.

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