Political analysts have called the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Orientation Agency to embark on regular sensitization of the electorate on dangers of selling their votes during elections to arrest vote buying in the country.
Political Correspondent, Chukwuemeka Modilim reports that vote buying is a situation where a voter exchanges his or her vote for money during election.
Research has proven that vote buying has been a reoccurring decimal in Nigeria politics which has not only undermined choice of the electorate during voting but endangers the civic right of the voter at the polling unit.
Speaking on vote buying during elections, Professor Obiajulu Obikeze of Political Science Department, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, who lamented that it is becoming increasingly worrisome in Nigeria, identified poverty, economic instability and political education of the electorate as factors responsible for vote buying.
Professor Obikeze stressed the need for government to improve the social welfare of the people, sanction any party found guilty of the offence, while the Electoral Act and other institutional reforms should be effective to monitor cash flow during elections to tackle the problem.
On his part, the member representing Nnewi South One Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable Sony Ozobialu, noted that vote buying during elections results in election of incompetent leaders that worsen the living condition of Nigerians and cannot address challenges confronting the country.
The lawmaker called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Orientation Agency to always sensitize voters on the need to vote for credible candidates and shun the idea of selling their votes to minimize vote buying during elections.
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