- Frank Mba, the deputy inspector general of police, has explained that vote buying is one of the difficult offences to manage
- Mba made the comment while speaking on the background of the 2024 governorship election in Edo state
- According to the police boss, the majority of vote buying is taking place at secret venues, not in the presence of the media or the security agencies
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba, vote buying is one of the most difficult offences to manage due to its secretive nature. Perpetrators often carry out these acts in private spaces, making it hard for law enforcement to detect.
Mba emphasized that while the police can't monitor every private space, they will tackle vote-buying instances that occur publicly. The police urge voters to cast their votes and return home, allowing only accredited individuals to move around.
According to Daily Trust, some political leaders, like former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have encouraged voters to protect their votes and defend them against malpractice. However, Mba insists that voters should prioritize their safety and return home after casting their votes.
Why vote buying is difficult to monitor
But the police boss explained that vote buying often occurs in private spaces, making detection difficult. He added that perpetrators use different tactics, making it hard to track and manage, and that law enforcement can't monitor every private space.
He then advised the voters to cast their votes and return home, adding that only accredited individuals should move around and promising that the police would prioritize their safety.
His statement reads in part:
“Vote buying is one of the most difficult offences to actually police and manage and I am saying this with every sense of honesty."Source: Legit.ng