Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stricter legislation to curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices in Nigeria. The commission also proposed a ₦50,000 cash limit for individuals within polling areas to prevent financial inducements during elections.
INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed, made the
recommendations on Friday during a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja. 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, with support from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.
Muhammed raised concerns over the increasing threat of vote-buying to Nigeria’s democratic integrity, noting that politicians often justify carrying large sums of money on election day under the guise of party agent payments and logistical expenses. However, he argued that this unregulated cash flow has significantly undermined electoral fairness.
Call for Electoral Offenses Commission
In addition to the proposed cash limit, INEC reiterated its demand for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission. Muhammed explained that while INEC has been handling prosecutions, a dedicated institution with legal authority and resources is needed to thoroughly investigate and prosecute electoral crimes 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,” he stated.
Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, also backed the proposal, stating that imposing a cash limit at polling units would provide security agencies with clearer guidelines on electoral offenses, thereby making enforcement more effective.
Security Agencies Pledge Commitment
Security agencies at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections. The Commissioner of Police in charge of election planning and evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, acknowledged the logistical difficulties faced by law enforcement, particularly in deploying officers to remote areas and ensuring effective communication during elections.
“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 noted.
Planned Electoral Reforms
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. He announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version, which, he said, had exposed gaps during the 2023 general elections.
“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 stated.
Similarly, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, acknowledged that while the 2022 Electoral Act was considered comprehensive, its application revealed aspects that require enhancement. He emphasized that the proposed reforms would be crucial in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system and ensuring the continuous evolution of the country’s democracy.
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