We’ll convey undercover agents to polling units – INEC

For the general elections in 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, has hinted that it intends to send undercover operatives to voting booths in an effort to reduce the threat of vote buying.

This was said in Abuja at a citizens’ election conversation with the topic “What makes a good election in Nigeria,” which was led by Festus Okoye, chairman of the INEC Information and Voter Education Committee.

Okoye claims that on election day, the commission will send out disguised security men.

He added, “We have also taken steps to ensure that people do not enter the voting booths with their mobile phones that can take pictures, and we’re also working with the various security agencies under the auspices of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security to ensure that security personnel in plain clothes are deployed to some polling places on election day in order to address the issue of vote buying and vote selling.

“This commission is committed to providing the Nigerian people with a successful election. The commission has reorganized the numerous polling places to ensure the confidentiality of the ballots in order to address the issue of vote buying.

Grandstanding about the INEC’s dedication to free, fair, and transparent elections is in style. However, you ought to turn around and examine some of the party primaries that other political parties held and how well they handled them.

Okoye reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to working with security agencies to hold free, fair, and credible elections for all Nigerians.

The INEC National Commissioner stated that the commission would keep up its training of staff members to ensure a smooth election.

According to him, the training will make sure that election officials are aware of how to set up and place the polling cubicle to preserve the privacy of the ballots.

In addition, he said, “INEC would ensure that technology is installed and that polling unit results are transmitted into our INEC viewing portal.