CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has charged security agencies to show no leniency to individuals involved in vote-buying or electoral trading, insisting that offenders must be promptly arrested and prosecuted in line with the provisions of the law.
Professor Amupitan, who gave the charge while presenting the register of voters to political parties in Ekiti State ahead of the June 20 governorship election, described vote-buying as a major threat to the integrity of the nation’s electoral process.
Addressing stakeholders, the INEC boss disclosed that a total of 1,059,360 eligible voters are expected to participate in the upcoming poll. He urged the political parties to meticulously scrutinise the register and submit any observations within the statutory timeframe provided by the electoral guidelines.
In his remarks, the National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Mr. Sam Olumekun, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering a credible exercise. He noted that Ekiti State has consistently maintained a record of peaceful and timely election announcements, free from rancour or acrimony.
Olumekun added that the formal presentation of the voters’ register to the parties is a testament to the commission’s adherence to its legal framework, aimed at ensuring that the register remains accurate, credible, and inclusive for all stakeholders.
Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured that the commission is fully prepared for the smooth conduct of the governorship election.
