By Margaret John
The Independent National Electoral Commission in INEC Cross River State has stated that it will work hand-in-hand with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the forthcoming Obudu 1 constituency bye-election to ensure it’s free and fair of vote buying and selling.
This was made known by the Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Frankland Briyai in a stakeholders’ forum held for the bye-election into Obudu 1 State Constituency Tuesday in Calabar.
The forum which brought together various political parties, unions, the media and non-governmental organizations established a platform for these stakeholders to express their concerns regarding the smooth conduct of the Obudu 1 constituency bye-election.
Among the issues raised was the case of votes buying by party agents at polling units.
In response to this, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Briyai affirmed that the EFCC will be on the look out for anyone intending to buy votes from the electorates in the polling units during the Obudu 1 constituency elections coming up on August 11th, 2018.
He firmly stated that, “Anyone buying and selling votes will be arrested; selling of votes is disenfranchisement of self. We will invite the EFCC to also join in the conduct of this bye-election.
“Anyone caught buying votes will be arrested, Thank God we have the security agencies all here and will be involved in the process.” He said, emphasizing that the EFCC will be there to monitor and forestall any form of malpractice during the bye-election.
Concluding, the REC assured that the Obudu 1 bye-election will be free and fair, enjoining the electorate in Obudu 1 Constituency to endeavor to register and collect their PVCs and go out to vote their choice candidate come Auguat 11, 2018.
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