The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday called on the National Assembly to introduce stricter laws aimed at curbing vote-buying and other electoral malpractices in Nigeria.
During a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja, INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed, expressed concerns about the growing threat of vote-buying to the country’s democratic integrity.
The meeting, which was organised by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and supported by the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss electoral security and necessary reforms.
Muhammed highlighted that politicians often justify the possession of large sums of money on election day by citing party agent payments and logistical expenses.
However, he warned that this unregulated cash circulation in polling units has fueled vote-buying and undermined the fairness of elections.
To address the challenge, Muhammed suggested that a cash limit of ₦50,000 should be imposed on individuals within polling areas.
He argued that this measure would make it more difficult for politicians to use financial inducements to sway voters.
“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalises this practice but also puts preventive measures in place,” Muhammed stated.
In addition to the cash limit, INEC reiterated its long-standing call for the creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission.
The director explained that while INEC has made efforts to handle prosecutions, a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to thoroughly investigate and prosecute electoral crimes is necessary to ensure justice for offenses such as vote-buying and ballot snatching.
“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,” Muhammed stated.
“The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching and other crimes are met with swift legal action,” he added.
Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola also supported the proposal, stating that limiting cash transactions at polling units would provide security agencies with clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, thereby simplifying enforcement.
“If we set a cash limit, security agencies will have clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, making enforcement easier,” she added.
Security agencies, represented at the meeting by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election planning and evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections.
Shogunle acknowledged the logistical challenges faced by law enforcement, particularly in deploying officers to remote areas and ensuring effective communication during elections.
He emphasised that these challenges must be addressed to improve the enforcement of electoral laws.
“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.
In response to INEC’s concerns, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, assured that the issues raised would be addressed in future electoral reforms.
Balogun announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act, aimed at replacing the current 2022 version, which had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.
He stressed the importance of both legislative reforms and heightened awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations about the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
“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.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, also acknowledged that while the 2022 Electoral Act had been seen as comprehensive, its implementation revealed areas in need of improvement.
He emphasised that the reforms proposed at the meeting were essential for strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system system and ensuring the continuous evolution of the country’s democracy.
