INEC orders arrest of vote buyers ahead of Ekiti Governorship election

ADO-EKITI – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute individuals engaged in vote buying and vote trading ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during the presentation of the voters’ register to political parties, Amupitan described vote buying as a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process, warning that offenders would face prosecution under the Electoral Act.

He urged law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission), and the Nigeria Police Force, to ensure strict enforcement.

According to him, over 1,059,660 registered voters are expected to participate in the poll, representing an increase from about 900,000 recorded in 2023.

He attributed the rise to the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which added about 66,000 new voters before suspension in line with electoral guidelines.

Amupitan said the presentation of the register was a legal requirement aimed at strengthening transparency and public confidence in the process, urging political parties to scrutinise the document and raise objections where necessary.

He emphasised that credible elections require collaboration among INEC, political parties, security agencies and voters, adding that campaigns must remain issue-based and peaceful.

He also referenced improvements in electronic result transmission during recent elections, noting that INEC had achieved faster collation and greater transparency in recent off-cycle polls.

National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Sam Olumekun, and Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, both reaffirmed the commission’s readiness for the election and commitment to neutrality.