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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tasked the National Assembly to introduce stringent laws prohibiting possession of large sums of money within polling areas as part of efforts to curb vote-buying and related electoral breaches.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja on Friday, INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed, highlighted the growing concern over vote-buying “which has become a major threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.”
He said politicians often justify carrying large amounts of cash on Election Day by citing party agent payments and logistical expenses, warning however, that unrestricted cash circulation at polling units has fueled vote-buying and compromised the integrity of elections.
“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place.
“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,” he said.
To address the challenge of vote-buying, Muhammed suggested that individuals should not be allowed to carry more than ₦50,000 within polling areas.
The meeting was organised by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
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