The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that politicians buying voters cards with the belief to use them to rig the 2023 general elections are only engaging in a fruitless exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, in Kano state, Amb. Zango Abdu made the statement during a stakeholders meeting held in the state following allegations labeled against politicians of buying voters cards from the electorates.
He said that “collecting of PVCs will be an effort in vain because only the owners will be able to use it to vote.”
He stressed that whosoever is caught with PVCs belonging to other people will face the wrath of the law accordingly.
He cited the incident of a person arrested with 367 PVCs from Gabasawa local government area of Kano state.
“The cards totalling 367 were said to belong to voters from Yautar Registration Area.
“The matter was investigated by the police command and the culprit was arraigned before a court of law where the judgment was delivered.
“The commission had received back the cards from Police custody and the cards are being redistributed to the rightful owners” he stated.
The commissioner further called on political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns devoid of violence, and abusive, intemperate, and slanderous language that could likely lead to the breakdown of law and order.
He stated that Kano has the second-highest number of registered voters in Nigeria and that conducting free and fair elections will add value to democracy in Nigeria.
He assured the public that he will deliver a free and fair election with fairness and justice to all irrespective of political parties or other inclinations.
Responding on behalf of the police, the Kano Commissioner of Police Muhammad Dauda who was represented by Assistant Police Commissioner Daniel Amah stated that the investigation is on concerning alleged hate speech by some leading politicians in the state and will face the wrath of the law if found guilty.
He assured the public that the police is working round the clock to ensure there is a hitch-free election in 2023.
Dominica Nwabufo
