From David Onuoja, Abuja
In order to curb the corruption in the electoral processes, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the Security Agencies in the Country to open their eyes during party primaries, most especially in the forthcoming Anambra and FCT elections.
Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman who presided over the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja, gave the task saying, it is better to start curbing the electoral fraud right from the first point of election in Nigeria rather than going for the secondary.
He said, if vote buying can be stop right from the Ward to local up to state and national, then, the issue of vote buying during elections would be minimised.
Yakubu queried, saying, “why using dollars during party primaries but uses naira during election proper? Can someone pulse to think about this.
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INEC boss, who commended the Security Agencies for Edo and Ondo elections, asked them to continue the tempo and even improve on Anambra and FCT forthcoming elections.
On some terrain in Anambra, “we shall give you the detail of locations of the Polling Units, the Registration Area Centres, the Wards, Local Government and State collation centres.
“As usual, we will also provide you with information on the terrain, including difficult land and riverine locations. We will also make available to you our preliminary assessment of the security situation that may warrant your special attention.
“Our experience in the management of logistics during the last Ondo State Governorship election provides the template for future elections. Better coordination in the deployment of security and electoral officials contributed to the early commencement of polls and peaceful conduct of the election, in spite of the challenging terrain, especially in the riverine areas.
“The forthcoming Governorship election in Anambra State must be similarly well coordinated. Together, we should continue to give Nigerians a happy experience on Election Day and beyond.
“There is of course a lot of work to do, especially in combating vote buying. The Commission is happy with our collaboration with the law enforcement agencies, particularly the anti-graft agencies. Beyond the arrest of vote buyers on Election Day, our active partnership has so far resulted in the successful prosecution of some offenders in three States of the Federation.
“As you are aware, the problem also manifests itself during the party primaries for the election of candidates. In the same way that voters are targeted at Polling Units on Election Day, so too is delegate-buying at the venues of congresses and conventions for the election of candidates”, he said.
