The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced this on Thursday in Abuja in a joint press conference.
According to INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, the politicians were caught with cash, wrappers, and food items meant to influence voters at polling units. Some of them were agents of major political parties.
The EFCC said some of the suspects were caught with over N50 million cash meant for vote buying on election day. The agency said they will be prosecuted according to the Electoral Act 2022 which says vote buying can attract up to 12 months imprisonment or N500,000 fine.
INEC said this move is to clean up Nigeria's elections and stop the culture of money politics that has destroyed democracy. The commission said future elections in 2027 will be stricter as they will deploy more security agents and anti-vote buying teams.
Nigerians on social media have reacted positively to the news, but many are asking if big politicians who sponsor vote buying will also be arrested, not just small agents.
Vote buying has been a major problem in Nigeria elections since 1999. During the 2023 elections, many videos went viral showing politicians sharing money at polling units.
Do you think arresting 42 people will stop vote buying in 2027?
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