2019: More worries for INEC as commission uncovers how politicians are planning to rig elections
- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has uncovered alleged plans by desperate politicians to buy votes in 2019
- INEC commissioner, Mike Iginni, disclosed that with few days to the general elections, politicians have been collecting account numbers of voters
- He also accused the political elite of being the steel in the wheel of INEC's effort to conduct free and credible election
With less than a month to the general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cried out about alleged plans by some desperate politicians to frustrate its effort towards curbing the persistent voting buying menace.
Speaking at the 15th Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture held in Lagos on Tuesday, January 15, on the electoral umpire's preparation for the forthcoming poll, the resident electoral commissioner in Akwa Ibom state, Mike Iginni, accused the political elite of being the steel in the wheel of INEC's progress, The Punch reports.
Legit.ng gathers that the INEC officer said desperate politicians across the country lay a mounting roadblock against the commission's effort toward free and fair electoral conduct.
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According to Iginni, politicians have been collecting the account numbers of the prospective voters in order to lobby for votes.
He said: “As I speak to you, we have report from certain part of the country showing clearly that politicians are collecting telephone numbers and bank accounts of the electorate and are already making part payments ahead of the elections. What are they responding to? They are responding to the card reader.”
He, however, called on the electorate to be vigilant and be ready to protect their votes against all odds.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had warned that it would work with security agencies to deal with those who would try to compromise the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the ward level.
INEC national commissioner, Mustapha Lecky, issued the warning in a message on Monday, January 14, in Asaba during an interactive session between the commission and the executive of the Delta traditional rulers council.
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Source: Legit.ng