The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned politicians, political party agents and its staff that anyone caught manipulating votes during the 2027 general elections could face imprisonment and fines.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Plateau State, Prof. Samuel Egwu, issued the warning on Tuesday in Jos at a meeting with political party leaders and candidates to discuss preparations for the forthcoming polls.
Egwu described the engagement as a critical step towards ensuring credible elections, stressing that political parties and their candidates would play decisive roles in the conduct of the polls.
He said the meeting was organised to educate stakeholders on electoral procedures, provide necessary information and reinforce their obligations under the law.
“This is the most important meeting I will be having with stakeholders, the parties and their candidates. You are the key game-changers in the ongoing campaigns and in the elections we are going to conduct in two phases: the Presidential and National Assembly elections on the 16th of January, and the Governorship and State Assembly elections in February,” he said.
The REC warned that anyone who interfered with the integrity of votes would face legal consequences, adding that INEC officials would not be exempt from prosecution if found guilty of electoral offences.
“As I sit here with my Heads of Department and Electoral Officers, I have told them that there are provisions in the law, if they breach them, particularly if they tamper with the integrity of the vote, they will go to jail. It is the same with anyone else who would want to tamper with the integrity of votes,” he said.
He also raised concerns about excessive spending during elections, acknowledging the importance of campaign funding but warning that the deployment of too much money could compromise the electoral process.
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“Money is very important in the electoral process. In fact, without money, you cannot contest an election. But when you deploy too much money, then it becomes a problem,” he added.
Egwu expressed disappointment over the poor turnout at the meeting, saying the commission would reassess how invitations were issued to improve attendance at subsequent stakeholders’ engagements.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Faniyan Ayodeji, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Nengi Jephtha, stressed the need for political actors to understand and comply with electoral guidelines to prevent violence and disputes.
“My first point is on the importance of information. When participants in an election are properly informed and abide by that information, it helps to mitigate violence and conflict,” he said.
Ayodeji also criticised the low level of representation by political parties, particularly those preparing to contest the forthcoming elections, and urged their leaders and candidates to participate actively in meetings on electoral preparations.
The police commissioner reaffirmed the force’s commitment to conducting peaceful and credible elections, noting that adherence to electoral regulations by political actors would reduce the burden on security agencies.
“As the Nigeria Police Force, our job is made easier when political players play by the rules. The moment they agree to do what is expected of them, the work of the police is greatly reduced.
“Therefore, I appeal that whatever is discussed and whatever guidelines are given, politicians should abide by those regulations so that at the end of the day, we will have a credible and violence-free election,” he said.