TAF-Africa tasks INEC on voter inducement, violence in polling units

The TAF-Africa has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives to checkmate voter inducement and violence in polling units during elections in Nigeria.

Mr. Jake Epelle, TAF Africa Founder, said this when he addressed a post-election conference at the Edge Drive Hotel, Lokoja, in Kogi.

He expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and successful conduct of the election in the three states.

“This call became imperative following the inducement and pockets of violence that occurred during Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi, which put PWD voters at risk.

“TAF Africa notes with concern the recorded incident of PWD voter inducement in the off-cycle election, especially in St. Luke Sec school, Lokoja, and Agudama Epie polling unit, Epie ward 1, Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa state, where some party agents engaged in vote buying, thereby causing chaos and disorderliness in the polling units.

“This challenges the integrity of the electoral process and emphasises the need for heightened vigilance and enforcement of electoral laws to maintain a free and fair electoral environment in Nigeria in the future

“Also, a critical incident occurred in Dimoma Hall Amambaa polling unit, Ikeduru LGA, in Imo State, where gunmen dispersed voters and put PWD voters at risk,” he said.

Epelle added:TAF Africa condemns any form of violence that disrupts the democratic process, and we call on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and take necessary actions to ensure the confidence, safety, and security of voters in subsequent elections.”

The Founder, through a Board member, Hajiya Zainab Usman-Suleiman, called for enhanced security in the future to prevent and respond swiftly to incidents that threatened the safety of voters.

He also called on political parties and relevant authorities to enforce strict penalties for voter inducement and thuggery during elections.

“This will help maintain the integrity of the electoral process and foster a transparent and accountable political environment,” he said.

Epelle advocated for continuous collaboration and engagement between INEC, political parties, security agencies, PWDs, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to help facilitate the identification and resolution of challenges, promoting a more inclusive and accessible electoral process.

While urging INEC to provide more data on registered PWD voters for the expansion of its monitoring of voting points during elections, Epelle called for a standardised protocol for the deployment of assistive tools, ensuring equitable distribution across all states and polling units with registered persons with disabilities during elections.