FCT council poll: “We won’t tolerate vote buying” – INEC Chair Amupitan warns
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan has warned that the commission or its officials would not tolerate any form of vote buying during the Federal Capital Territory Council Election.
Amupitan gave the warning while speaking during a high-level stakeholders’ forum in Abuja on Wednesday, February 18.
Assuring the FCT residents of the commission’s committment towards a peaceful, transparent and credible poll on Saturday, February 21, the INEC chair said over 1.6 million registered voters will vote across 2,822 polling units, with 570 candidates contesting 68 seats.
Categorically stating that INEC has no preferred candidate in all six council elections, Amupitan explained that every electoral process is a shared responsibility.
He also assured that the BVAS will be deployed in all polling units, with results uploaded to IReV.
He noted the commission has further accredited 89 observer groups and 700 journalists to monitor the process.
“Security agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will be on the ground to curb vote buying and ensure safety,” Amupitan said.
The FCT elections is scheduled to take place across the six area councils including; Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.
The positions to be contested chairman and vice chairman of the councils and the councillorship roles.
