INEC Call For Stricter Laws to Curb Vote-Buying at Polling Units

By Gloria Ikibah

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the National Assembly to pass tougher laws restricting the possession of large sums of money within polling areas to combat vote-buying and other electoral offences.

The Director of Litigation and Prosecution INEC, Tanimu Muhammed (SAN), raised concerns over vote-buying, describing it as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, at a consultative meeting with security agencies and the technical committee on electoral law reforms on Friday in Abuja.

The meeting was organised by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters, in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), and had key stakeholders in attendance to discuss electoral security and legal reforms.

Muhammed stated that politicians often claim they carry large sums on election day for party agent payments and logistics. However, he warned that unrestricted cash flow at polling units has encouraged vote-buying and undermined electoral integrity.

To tackle this issue, Muhammed proposed a legal limit of ₦50,000 for individuals within polling areas on election day.

“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place,” Muhammed stated.

The commission therefore called on lawmakers to focus on amending laws to eliminate loopholes frequently exploited by politicians.

INEC officials also renewed their call for the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission, stressing that the commission currently lacks the capacity to prosecute electoral offenders effectively.

“INEC is doing its best to handle prosecutions, but we need a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively.

“The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action,” Muhammed stated.

Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, emphasised that reducing cash transactions at polling units would make it harder for politicians to influence voters with financial inducements.

“If we set a cash limit, security agencies will have clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, making enforcement easier,” she added.

In response to INEC’s concerns, security agencies at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections.

However, they acknowledged challenges, particularly in logistics and coordination.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Planning and Evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, who represented the Inspector General of Police, pointed out that inadequate resources often hamper law enforcement efforts during elections.

“We face major logistical challenges, from deploying officers to remote areas to ensuring real-time communication during elections. These are issues that need to be addressed if we are to effectively enforce electoral laws,” Shogunle said.

Despite these challenges, security agencies pledged to remain neutral and professional in carrying out their duties.

Responding to the concerns raised, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, assured that all issues discussed would be addressed in future electoral reforms.

He announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version, which he said had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.

“The 2022 Electoral Act was a significant step forward, but its implementation in the last general elections showed areas that need improvement. We are committed to strengthening our electoral laws to reflect the realities of our democracy,” Balogun said.

He emphasized that, apart from legislative reforms, there was a need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.

“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral process they can trust. We must ensure that our laws are not just strong on paper but are also effectively enforced,” Balogun added.

The Senate Chairman on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, noted that while the 2022 Electoral Act was initially considered comprehensive, its implementation revealed gaps that must be closed.

“This meeting is a step towards strengthening our electoral system. The reforms we propose must reflect lessons learned from past elections and ensure that our democracy continues to evolve positively,” Alli said.