By Edward Nnachi, Ebonyi State,Southeast–Nigeria
Recently, the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) says vote buying was more in the Southeast than in any other geopolitical zones during the governorship and state house of assembly polls in 2023.
It said the vote-trading was made possible due to the prevailing economic hardship amid the current cash crunch.
“In total, 25.3 percent of observers noted vote buying at their polling units across the country with the highest figures reported in the Northwest (35.4 percent) and southeast (41.4 percent).
““In Anambra state, party agents were observed using materials, phones, and other souvenirs to entice voters. In the South-South, multiple party agents reported a desire for voters to show proof of their vote before being paid, with party agents reportedly compiling a list of their voters in Esan Central LGA, Edo state.
““The prevailing economic hardship in the country – 133 million Nigerians were estimated to be multi-dimensionally poor in 2022 according to the National Bureau of Statistics – and the continued shortages of fuel and particularly Naira were undoubtedly a factor in this.
Votes were being traded for between N1,000-2,000 in parts of Edo and Benue states for example, with goods of similar value used in many cases in lieu of cash given the continued currency shortages.
Across the region, manifestations of vote buying included the use of fabric, toiletries, ‘I-owe-you-vouchers’ and food items.”
With these shocking revelations above, there is a need for collaboration between civil society organizations (CSOs) and relevant authorities to halt or ameliorate vote buying as the 2027 general elections draw nearer to save our electoral process from collapse.
Against this backdrop, the National Leadership of Accredited Civil Society Organizations and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Nigeria have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt stricter measures against vote buying and strengthen electoral technology.
The CSOs accredited by the United Nations, operating under the coordination of the Civil Society Organisations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), also warned Nigerians against voting for people with questionable characters.
At media chat in Abuja recently, the group said it will not allow unpatriotic elements to spread hate speeches and fake news capable of causing political upheaval.
Vote-buying, which connotes the intent to alter political behaviour and swing the votes through financial inducement, is perhaps the greatest threat to democratic elections in the country and many other parts of the world.
For Nigeria, it has been conjoined with the electoral system, like Siamese twins. It is an affront on the sanctity of the ballot box; a special case of influence that elicits instant compliance at polling booths on election day, with severe losses to the unsuspecting or helpless opponents who may not be able to match the deep purse of desperate rivals, particularly the highest bidder.
Many believe that this form of bribery is immoral, yet they find it irresistible. But sometimes, vote-buying is exaggerated. These days, it is also employed as a weapon of blackmail to discredit the integrity of a substantially free and fair election.
Considering the debilitating effects of this holy monster — vote buying on our democratic and electoral foundations as a people, the call for CSOs and other critical stakeholders to unite to halt its perpetuity is now.
Edward Nnachi
An Investigative and Development Journalist @ PUNCH Newspapers,
Writes from the Southeast
nnachieddyugbor@gmail.com
08028535702