The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have ramped up measures to combat electoral malpractices in the upcoming governorship elections scheduled for Saturday in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States.
The EFCC, in response to growing concerns over potential voter inducement, has deployed operatives to closely monitor the electoral processes in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, EFCC Spokesman Dele Oyewale emphasized the need for mobilization to combat vote buying, vote selling, and other forms of electoral fraud. Oyewale emphasized that the monitoring team dispatched to the three states is tasked with addressing any efforts to manipulate the electoral processes in contravention of the Electoral Act.
He said:
“In its drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has deployed its officers to Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States where governorship elections are held on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
“The Commission’s monitoring operations are to tackle any form of voter’s inducement through vote buying, vote selling and other manipulation of the electoral processes at variance with the Electoral Act.”
Simultaneously, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken a proactive stance by dispatching officials to all 56 local government areas and 649 wards where the elections are set to occur. In a statement from Abuja, ICPC
Spokesperson Azuka Ogugua outlined the commission’s commitment to curbing vote-buying and other electoral misconduct. The agents are tasked with vigilant monitoring to maintain the integrity of the electoral process at polling stations.
With both anti-corruption agencies working in tandem, there is a concerted effort to uphold the principles of fair and transparent elections in the face of potential electoral malpractices.
