The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra state Wednesday said it would deploy different strategies, including spiritual and physical strategies to eliminate and prosecute electoral offences.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, stated this at Awka during a stakeholders meeting organised by the commission to ensure smooth conduct of 2023 general elections.
He said the 2022 Electoral Act empowered them to prosecute electoral offenders.
“What INEC wants is free and fair elections. Vote buying will not work. I am hundred percent sure that vote buying will not work. But it is our duty to keep on telling people the effect on them in the next four years. All political parties and other stakeholders should join in sensitising the populace about elections and new Electoral Act.
“I am not the REC that sits in office. I will come out and monitor the election myself. God will help us to do that successfully. I have been a pastor for 22 years. I will use both physical and spiritual power to fight vote buying. I will ensure that anyone who commits electoral offences go in for the offences committed. There are penalties for all electoral offences in the new Electoral Act. Anyone hoping to buy votes will fail.
In the just concluded display of voter register for claims and objections which was held between November 12 to 18 across the 326 registration areas, and in 21 local government areas in Anambra state from November 19 to 25, the INEC assured people that the exercise was still on their website.
“Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are available at the designated stations for collection during and even after the exercise. PVCs registered between 2021 and February 2022 are printed for collection,” she stated.
