The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, ways the commission will be able to stop vote-buying with the speedy passage of the National Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal Bill by the National Assembly (NASS).
The bill is to provide the legal framework for the investigation and prosecution of electoral offences for the general improvement of the electoral process in the country.
Yakubu, who was represented by a National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, during a policy dialogue organised by the Electoral Forum in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa and MacArthur Foundation on Friday, noted that poverty was largely responsible for the challenge.
“We are going to intensify voter education and sensitise the people more with regards to vote-buying. People have also talked about poverty. Yes, we all know it’s poverty. But I think also that as soon as people begin to have faith in the electoral process, they will begin to see the power that they have over the people who are running for offices. And I believe that very soon, the story will change and the power will return to the people,” He said.
