The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the National Assembly to enact stringent laws preventing politicians from carrying large sums of money within polling areas, emphasizing that this measure would help curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
This appeal came as the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act, which would replace the current 2022 version, citing gaps observed during the 2023 general elections.
Speaking at a consultative meeting in Abuja on Friday with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments, INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed SAN, stressed that vote-buying remains a significant threat to Nigeria’s democratic process.
The meeting, organized 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), provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss electoral security and legal reforms.
Muhammed pointed out that politicians often justify carrying large amounts of cash on election day, citing party agent payments and logistics expenses.
However, he warned that unrestricted cash circulation at polling units has fueled vote-buying and compromised electoral integrity.
To tackle this, he proposed a ₦50,000 limit on cash that individuals can carry within polling areas.
“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,” Muhammed stated.
Beyond vote-buying, INEC officials renewed calls for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, arguing that the electoral body lacks the capacity to effectively prosecute offenders.
According to Muhammed, “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. The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action.”
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election planning and evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, representing the Inspector General of Police, highlighted the challenges security agencies face in enforcing 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, Hon. Adebayo Balogun assured stakeholders that their concerns would be addressed in future electoral reforms.
“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,” he said.
He further emphasized that, alongside legislative reforms, there was a need for increased awareness among political parties, INEC officials, and civil society organizations on the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
