#EkitiDecides2022: We Can’t Stop Vote-Buying – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday stated that the electoral body can not guarantee that there won’t be vote-buying during the governorship election in Ekiti State today (Saturday).

The National Commissioner of INEC, Festus Okoye stated this while speaking on Channels TV on Friday evening.

Okoye noted that as hoc staff have been told to advise voters not to enter the voting compartment with any electronic gadgets that can take photographs.

He further stated the decision would guarantee the secrecy of the vote and hinder them from showing someone their vote.

Okoye said the commission has met with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to guard against vote-buying

The INEC Commissioner said, “INEC as a commission cannot guarantee that there won’t be any vote-buying in this election.

“We have also told them (ad hoc staff) to advise the voters when they come to vote not to enter the voting compartment with any electronic gadgets that can take photographs.

“By so doing, we believe we can guarantee at least the secrecy of the vote, not that people will vote, snap them when they have voted and show somebody else.

“We have also held a series of meetings with the ICPC, EFCC, and other security agencies who would have some of their plainclothes officers at some of the polling units by making sure no one comes to the place and corrupts the process.”