Imo election: ICPC arrests INEC official over vote buying

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has apprehended an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the Imo State governorship election, in possession of a substantial amount of money.

The INEC staff, whose name was not disclosed, was apprehended at Polling Unit 005, Township Primary School, Ikenegbu 1, in the Owerri Municipal LGA.

According to reports, the money was allegedly offered to the official by an unnamed party for the purpose of vote-buying, a pervasive issue that compromises the integrity of elections in Nigeria.

The ICPC and EFCC had deployed officers to monitor off-cycle elections in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa to counter electoral fraud, including vote buying and selling.

Earlier reports indicated that party agents in the ongoing off-cycle election in Kogi State resorted to offering financial incentives to voters in Lokoja to secure their votes for their respective candidates.

These agents were reportedly stationed approximately 500 meters from the polling units, distributing cash to voters in exchange for their support. The amounts varied, ranging from N3,000 to N5,000, depending on individual characteristics and bargaining skills.

Responding to the report, Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Ben Opara Emmanuela, denied such claims, stating that INEC is not aware of any such incidents.

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