The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking the collaboration of security agencies under the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security to stop vote buying during party primaries and general elections.

Speaking at the first quarterly meeting with security agencies for 2025, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu while a lot has been achieved in efforts at stopping vote buying, much work still needs to be done.

Prof Yakubu said: “There is of course a lot of work to do, especially in combating vote buying. The Commission is happy with our collaboration with the law enforcement agencies, particularly the anti-graft agencies.

“Beyond the arrest of vote buyers on Election Day, our active partnership has so far resulted in the successful prosecution of some offenders in three States of the Federation. As you are aware, the problem also manifests itself during the party primaries for the election of candidates.

“In the same way that voters are targeted at Polling Units on Election Day, so too is delegate-buying at the venues of congresses and conventions for the election of candidates.

“As you can see from the Timetable and Schedule of Activities included in your folders for this meeting, party primaries for the Anambra State Governorship election begin next month, followed by the Area Council election in the FCT in June.

“We should continue to work together in partnership with other critical stakeholders to address the menace.”

The INEC Chairman said the Commission is also preparing for bye-elections to fill vacancies in the National and State legislative houses, saying “as you are aware, nine bye-elections were conducted last year. Since then, 16 more vacancies have occurred in 12 States of the Federation involving two Senatorial Districts, five Federal Constituencies for election to the House of Representatives, and nine State Assembly Constituencies.

“In due course, the Commission will make the delimitation details available to you to guide your operational deployment for forthcoming elections. This will include the detailed locations of the Polling Units, the Registration Area Centres, the Wards, Local Government, and State collation centres.

“As usual, we will also provide you with information on the terrain, including difficult land and riverine locations. We will also make available to you our preliminary assessment of the security situation that may warrant your special attention.

“Our experience in the management of logistics during the last Ondo State Governorship election provides the template for future elections. Better coordination in the deployment of security and electoral officials contributed to the early commencement of polls and peaceful conduct of the election, despite the challenging terrain, especially in the riverine areas.

“The forthcoming Governorship election in Anambra State must be similarly well coordinated. Together, we should continue to give Nigerians a happy experience on Election Day and beyond”.

Director of Internal Security, in the office of the National Security Adviser, Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi said the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu appreciates the security agencies, as well as INEC, for the marked improvement in security recorded during the Edo and Ondo States Off cycle Governorship elections.

He said: “The polls witnessed seamless cooperation between the security agencies, which facilitated quick response to incidents that would have significantly disrupted the exercise.

“There was also the deployment of technology, especially drones and communication systems, as well as improved surveillance and coordination, which accounted for the timely response to incidents.

“Though the voter turnout across the two States was not as envisaged, the conduct of the electorates was impressive, albeit a few incidents of voter agitations over delayed commencement of the exercise in some polling Units, due to logistics constraints.

“Therefore, moving forward, the NSA has assured that the lessons learned from the isolated incidents recorded during the Edo and Ondo polls will be vital in refining security strategies, ahead of the forthcoming bye-elections in some parts of the Country, including the Governorship election in Anambra State, scheduled for 25th November later this year”.