FENRAD faults rampant vote buying in Anambra State, says it undermines democracy

Stanley Ihedigbo

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has strongly condemned the rampant vote buying reported during the just-concluded Anambra State Governorship Election, describing it as a serious threat to democratic governance, transparency, and credible elections in Nigeria.

During a live program on Enyimba FM, Aba, the Executive Director of FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, who is also a member of the Nigerian Civil Society Elections Situation Room and an accredited observer of the Anambra State Governorship Election, expressed grave concern that the increasing monetization of the electoral process undermines the will of the people and erodes the credibility of democratic institutions.

Vote buying is a dangerous assault on democracy. It reduces the sacred act of voting to a mere commercial exchange and compromises the integrity of our electoral system

He noted that democracy can only thrive when the electorate is allowed to make informed and independent choices based on the competence and integrity of candidates rather than on financial inducements and warned that if not curbed, the culture of vote buying would continue to produce unaccountable and corrupt leadership at all levels.

To curb vote buying and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s elections, FENRAD makes the following recommendations, which include, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and anti-corruption bodies like the EFCC and ICPC must collaborate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute both the buyers and sellers of votes during elections.

“The National Assembly should review and strengthen existing electoral laws to include stricter penalties and effective enforcement mechanisms for electoral offences, especially vote buying and selling. Continuous civic and voter education should be intensified by INEC and civil society organizations to enlighten citizens on the dangers of vote trading and the importance of protecting their democratic rights.

Political parties must adopt internal sanctions for members and candidates found engaging in vote buying, in line with the principles of transparency and accountability. Media houses, faith-based organizations, and traditional institutions should partner with civil society to promote values of integrity, patriotism, and responsible citizenship during elections.

The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on our collective resolve to protect the ballot from corruption. The power of the people lies not in money, but in the informed and principled exercise of their votes