INEC wants possession of huge cash at polling units criminalized
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to the National Assembly to enact stricter laws prohibiting the carrying of large sums of money within polling areas to stop vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
INEC’s Director of Litigation and Prosecution, Tanimu Muhammed, SAN made the call at a consultative meeting with security operatives and the technical committee on electoral law amendments in Abuja at the weekend.
He expressed the growing practice of vote-buying, which helps said threatens Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to the INEC representative, politicians often justify carrying large amounts of cash on election day by citing party agent payments and logistical expenses.
He said unrestricted cash circulation at polling units has fueled vote-buying and compromised the integrity of elections.
Muhammed said individuals not carry more than ₦50,000 within polling areas.
“Vote-buying remains one of the biggest threats to credible elections in Nigeria. We need legislation that not only criminalizes this practice but also puts preventive measures in place,” Muhammed stated.
The commission urged lawmakers to prioritize amendments that would close loopholes exploited by political actors.
He said apart from vote-buying, INEC has been demanding for the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, arguing that the electoral body lacks the capacity to effectively prosecute offenders.
“INEC is doing its best to handle prosecutions, but we need a dedicated institution with the legal authority and resources to investigate and prosecute electoral crimes comprehensively,” Muhammed stated.
“The creation of an Electoral Offenses Commission would ensure that vote-buying, ballot snatching, and other crimes are met with swift legal action,” he added.
Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said reducing cash transactions at polling units would make it harder for politicians to influence voters with financial inducements.
“If we set a cash limit, security agencies will have clearer guidelines on what constitutes an electoral offense, making enforcement easier,” she added.
The meeting, organised by the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss electoral security and legal reforms.
