- Warns against acts of electoral corruption
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has strategically deployed its operatives to closely monitor the forthcoming governorship elections scheduled for Saturday, 11th November 2023, in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.
Covering all 56 Local Government Areas and 649 Wards, the Commission’s operatives have been tasked with the crucial mission of preventing and addressing issues such as vote buying and various electoral malpractices at the diverse polling units during the electoral process.
This proactive monitoring initiative stems from the invitation extended by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), seeking ICPC’s involvement to ensure the integrity and fairness of the electoral processes in the three states.
In preparation for their assignment, Mr. Alex Chukwura, fsi, Head of the Commission’s Special Duty Division (SDD), addressed the deployed operatives. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Military, Police, Department of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies, as well as maintaining a cooperative relationship with INEC. Mr. Chukwura stressed the adherence to ICPC guidelines for election monitoring, urging officers to exhibit discipline, uphold the spirit of integrity, and work cohesively as a team to achieve the desired goal.
Furthermore, operatives were charged to take decisive actions against any perpetrators of corruption, irrespective of their social status in the election processes, in accordance with the law. Voters in the aforementioned states were earnestly urged to fulfill their civic responsibilities on Election Day, exercising their rights responsibly and avoiding actions that could lead to electoral and other related offences.
