Vote-buying Attracts 1-yr Jail Term, N500k Fine- INEC Warns

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned Nigerians to desist from being used by politicians and political parties as agents for vote-buying come 2023 election.

 

Newsonline reports that INEC said anyone arrested for vote-buying will have to stand being jailed for one year and payment of a fine of 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) if convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

The INEC Commissioner in Jigawa State, Professor Muhammad Lawal Bashar said this in an interview with newsmen.

 

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Muhammad Lawal Bashar said the electoral commission is prepared to conduct all the elections with the BVAS machine to ensure free and fair elections.

 

Bashar disclosed that BVAS will dictate issues of multiple registrations at points of voting. He said citizens who engaged in multiple registrations will not be able to vote.

 

” The machine will identify voters going to vote and those who have registered more than once will not be able to vote,” Bashar said.

 

The Jigawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) said the Commission has received over one hundred and fifty-six permanent voter cards which are still under distribution until 22 January 2023.

 

He advised those who have registered but have not collected their voter cards to do so before the closing date.

 

Professor Muhammad added that the INEC made a good plan that will allow people with special needs, the elderly and pregnant women to vote easily.