By The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned against any form of vote inducement ahead of 2019.
The anti corruption body made this know through its acting chairman Dr. Musa Abubakar while explaining the rationale behind the recent launch of a nationwide sensitization campaign against vote-buying in the country by the Commission.
The sensitization is expected to go nationwide according to the Commission as the next point of call after it launched in Abuja are Akwa-Ibom, Kano, Lagos, and Rivers States.
Dr Musa Abubakar expained that the Commission has the power as given to it by Section 6(a) of ICPC Act 2000 to prosecute vote-buyers which he described as another form of corruption.
He narrates that the anti-graft agency had not taken action against the electoral malpractice because it was still sensitizing the people, noting that the commission would monitor the forthcoming elections for malpractices.
The chairman who was represented by Mrs. Azuka Ogugua while addressing journalists further explained that vote buying is a crime against the state that should be shunned.
“Vote-buying and selling is corruption; It can take various forms such as collecting payment from candidates before or after voting for them. Such payments are usually made through agents either directly or through phone transfer. This is outright bribery and it is punishable under the ICPC Act 2000.” he concludes.
