Mahmood Yakubu to CSOs: Monitor party primaries, delegates take bribes to vote

 Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has asked civil society organisations (CSOs) to expand their monitoring role to cover political party primaries.

Speaking at the commission’s first regular quarterly consultative meeting, the INEC chairman expressed worries over the spate of vote buying and delegate manipulation during party primaries.

Yakubu asked the CSOs to start paying attention to primary elections the same way they monitor general elections while stressing the need to curb vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.

He acknowledged the crucial role CSOs have played in election monitoring and advocacy, adding that their reports have helped in addressing electoral irregularities.

He added that some delegates have openly spoken about the financial inducements they received during the nomination process.

“I would like to urge civil society organisations to be as interested in party primaries as you are actively engaged in the monitoring of secondary elections conducted by INEC,” Yakubu said.

“Only the candidates nominated by the political parties are placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for on election day.

“From your monitoring reports as accredited election observers, you have consistently expressed concern over vote-buying at polling units during elections.

“Some of you have made actionable recommendations on how to curtail the menace, which have been favourably considered by the commission.

“It is time to cast your net wide by focusing on the incidence of delegate-buying by aspirants during primaries.

“Some delegates openly boasted of how much money they made from aspirants during party primaries; you should intensify your advocacy in support of the practical steps taken by the relevant security and law enforcement agencies to tackle this diabolical practice.”

The commission’s call comes in the preparation of the Anambra state governorship election scheduled for November 8.