The Ummah Support Initiative, USI, in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Commission, ICPC, and Youth Alive Foundation, kick-started its national campaign against vote buying and other electoral malpractices.
The executive director, USI, Danjuma Abdullahi, who disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja, said the sensitization is necessary in order to enlighten the public on the implications of vote buying and selling.
According to him, the campaign is aimed at spreading awareness to the general public, especially the youths to vote for credible people.
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“We understand that those who buy votes will eventually take their money back so there will be no money to build hospitals, roads or even schools. So vote for credible leaders that will take care of your needs.
“We will take the campaign to the grass roots because it is badly needed,” He stressed.
Also speaking, the acting chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Abubakar, recalled that the commission had previously monitored the 2011 general elections and it came up with reports containing useful recommendations for improving future general elections.
According to him, the reports were submitted to all stakeholders concerned for implementation.
Mr Abubakar, who was represented by Azuka Oguguwa, noted that vote buying and selling is corruption and it can take various forms, such as collecting payment from candidates before or after voting for them.
He added that the Section 6 (a) of the ICPC Act 2000 and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) empower the commission to prosecute electoral offenders.
“Vote buying and selling is corruption. It can take various forms such as collecting payments from candidates, before or after voting for them. Such payments are usually made through agents or either direct or through phone transfers. This is outright bribery and it is punishable under the ICPC Act 2000.
“Other forms of electoral malpractices punishable under the ICPC law include rigging in whatever form. Rigging could take the form of falsifying election results by changing figures to favour particular candidates. This is falsification of official records and punishable under the ICPC Act 2000,” Mr Abubakar pointed out.
He therefore, assured that the commission is fully prepared to monitor the forthcoming general elections.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that during the campaign, papers were presented by resource persons from the ICPC, INEC, and the lead director of the Centre for Social Justice, Barr. Eze Onyekpere, Aisha Yusuf, Dr. Abdullahi Hamisu from the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano state and Imam Ishaq Abdullahi.
