INEC WARNS AGAINST VOTE TAMPERING, THREATENS JAIL TERM
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The Independent National Electoral Commission has told politicians, party workers, and its staff not to interfere with votes in the 2027 general elections.They warned that anyone who does so could face jail time and penalties.
Prof. Samuel Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Plateau State, made this statement on Tuesday in Jos during a meeting with political party leaders and candidates.
Egwu called the meeting an important step before the elections, stressing that political parties and candidates have a big role in making sure the voting process is fair and trustworthy.
He explained that the meeting was meant to give all the key information about the elections and remind everyone of their legal duties. “This is the most important meeting I will be having with stakeholders, the parties and their candidates. You are the key game-changers in the ongoing campaigns and in the elections we are going to conduct in two phases: the Presidential and National Assembly elections on the 16th of January, and the Governorship and State Assembly elections in February,” he said.
The REC said electoral offences, particularly those involving interference with the integrity of votes, could attract legal sanctions.
“As I sit here with my Heads of Department and Electoral Officers, I have told them that there are provisions in the law, if they breach them, particularly if they tamper with the integrity of the vote, they will go to jail. It is the same with anyone else who would want to tamper with the integrity of votes,” he said.
Egwu also cautioned against excessive spending during elections, noting that although campaigns required funding, the misuse of money could undermine electoral credibility.
“Money is very important in the electoral process. In fact, without money, you cannot contest an election. But when you deploy too much money, then it becomes a problem,” he added.
He was worried about the low number of people attending the meeting and mentioned that the commission will look into its invitation process to make sure more people take part in future meetings.
Also speaking, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Faniyan Ayodeji, was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Nengi Jephtha.
He said that giving accurate information and following electoral guidelines is important to stop violence and conflict.
“My first point is about the importance of information. When people involved in an election are well–informed and follow that information, it helps to reduce violence and conflict,” he said.
Ayodeji also worried about the lack of political party representatives at the meeting, especially those running in the upcoming elections. He encouraged party leaders and candidates to take stakeholder meetings seriously and to attend discussions about electoral preparations.
The police commissioner assured that the force remained committed to ensuring credible and peaceful elections, but said politicians’ compliance with electoral rules would make the task easier.
“As the Nigeria Police Force, our job is made easier when political players play by the rules. The moment they agree to do what is expected of them, the work of the police is greatly reduced.
“Therefore, I appeal that whatever is discussed and whatever guidelines are given, politicians should abide by those regulations so that at the end of the day, we will have a credible and violence-free election,” he said.
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