The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken steps to oversee the Saturday governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi, deploying operatives across the 56 local government areas and 649 wards in the three states.
In a statement on Thursday, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, the spokesperson for the Commission, highlighted the primary objective of the deployment: to monitor and prevent vote-buying and other electoral malpractices at various polling units during the elections.
Ogugua stated that the ICPC’s monitoring initiative was in response to an invitation by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring that the electoral processes in these states are free and fair.
The Head of Special Duties Division (SDD) at ICPC, Mr. Alex Chukwura, advised the deployed operatives to collaborate with other security agencies, including the military, police, and the Department of State Security, as well as INEC, to guarantee the elections’ fairness.
Chukwura urged strict adherence to ICPC guidelines for monitoring elections, emphasizing the importance of discipline, integrity, teamwork, and taking necessary actions against any perpetrators of corruption, regardless of social status.
He also encouraged voters to fulfill their civic responsibilities on Election Day while avoiding any activities that could lead to electoral or other related offenses.
