Vote Buying: Don’t Take POS Terminal To Polling Unit, INEC Warns Party Agents

 
By Muhammadu Sabiu 


 
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has prohibited party agents or anyone associated with political parties from bringing Point of Sale (POS) terminals to polling units in Anambra State.


 
Materials that could be used as a bribe to persuade voters to sell their votes are also prohibited at polling units.


 
This was announced at a press conference on Friday, the day before the state’s House of Assembly election, by Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Elizabeth Agwu.


 
During the presidential election, there were allegations that people used POS to transfer money to voters in an effort to circumvent the federal government’s cashless policy, while some political parties used food-related inducements such as cartons of noodles, and other food items.
 



During the press conference, Agwu stated that the commission was prepared for the election and that electoral supplies had been distributed throughout the state.


 
He was quoted as saying: “The commission will not tolerate vote buying. We will not allow party agents to take POS machines into the polling centers, or any other material that can be used to induce the people.


 
“We have 21 local governments and we have watched and distributed our materials down, most especially the ballot papers that are meant for the State Assembly elections and this has been properly and systematically outlined so that there won’t be a mix-up.


 
“It is a tradition that we normally move our materials, particularly, the sensitive materials to the local governments, from the local governments to the RAC centers, then to the polling units.


 
“We’re assuring that by 8:30 am on Saturday, voting is expected to have commenced across the polling units in the state. We have sorted out all issues concerning BVAS for the election, and we hope for optimal performance.”