The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the National Assembly to enforce stricter laws prohibiting politicians from carrying large sums of money at polling units to curb vote-buying and electoral malpractice.
This call was made at a consultative meeting in Abuja on Friday, where Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, announced plans for a 2025 Electoral Act to replace the current 2022 version, which he said had exposed gaps during the 2023 elections.
Speaking at the meeting, INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed (SAN), expressed concerns over the rising trend of vote-buying, which he described as a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Muhammed explained that politicians often justify carrying large sums of cash on election day for party agent payments and logistics, but this practice has fueled vote-buying and undermined electoral integrity.
“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,” he stated.
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To address the issue, INEC proposed that individuals should not be allowed to carry more than ₦50,000 within polling areas, making it easier for security agencies to detect electoral fraud.
The Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, supported the proposal, stating that limiting cash transactions at polling units would make it harder for politicians to influence voters with financial inducements.
“If we set a cash limit, security agencies will have clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, making enforcement easier,” she noted.
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