ICPC deploys officials to curb vote-buying during off-cycle elections

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has mobilized its personnel to oversee the gubernatorial elections scheduled for Saturday in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.

Mrs Azuka Ogugua, the Commission’s spokesperson, announced this in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja. She conveyed that the commission’s operatives have been strategically positioned across the 56 local government areas and 649 wards in the three states where the elections are set to take place.

Ogugua outlined that the primary objectives of the deployed operatives include monitoring and preventing activities such as vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractices at various polling units during the election.

“The monitoring exercise is a response to the invitation by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for ICPC to participate in ensuring that the electoral processes in these three states are free and fair,” she stated.

Before their deployment, Mr. Alex Chukwura, Head of the ICPC Special Duties Division (SDD), urged the operatives to collaborate closely with other sister agencies during the exercise. He specifically mentioned the importance of working alongside the Military, Police, Department of State Security, other security agencies, and INEC to guarantee the fairness and integrity of the elections.

Chukwura emphasized the need for strict adherence to ICPC guidelines for monitoring elections and encouraged the officers to uphold discipline and integrity while on duty. He stressed the importance of teamwork to achieve the common goal.

Furthermore, Chukwura advised the officers to take appropriate actions against individuals involved in any acts of corruption during the election, irrespective of their social status.

“Voters in the three states aforesaid are charged to go out on Election Day and perform their civic responsibilities while avoiding any act that could lead to electoral and other related offences,” he concluded.