Anambra REC urges parties to focus on issue-based campaigns, warns that electoral offenders will face prosecution……
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned political parties and candidates against vote buying, thuggery and smear campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that electoral offences will not be tolerated.
The commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, gave the warning on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by political party leaders, candidates, community representatives and members of the media.
Agwu urged the public to report incidents of vote buying, stressing that the commission would monitor campaign activities and scrutinise candidates’ spending during the electioneering period.
She challenged politicians to channel the money intended for buying votes into their campaigns and use the opportunity to explain their programmes and policies to the electorate.
According to her, political parties must take responsibility for electoral malpractice rather than blame INEC for practices allegedly perpetrated by their members and supporters.
Agwu warned that candidates found engaging in vote buying would be prosecuted, adding that the commission would not allow the 2027 elections to be undermined by financial inducements or other forms of malpractice.
She also condemned personal attacks and campaigns of calumny, referencing the 2025 Anambra governorship election, during which she said public discussions had strayed into candidates’ private and family affairs instead of focusing on governance.
The REC urged candidates to concentrate on communicating their plans to voters, insisting that campaigns should be centred on policies, competence and what aspirants intend to deliver if elected.
She said personal allegations about candidates or their families were irrelevant to the electoral process and called on political parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully and responsibly.
Turning to preparations for the 2027 elections, Agwu expressed confidence in INEC’s readiness, assuring stakeholders that measures had been put in place to prevent technical difficulties and ensure a smooth process.
She urged political parties and their candidates to begin preparations early, noting that successful election campaigns required proper planning and meaningful engagement with voters rather than attempts to intimidate the electorate.
Agwu also warned politicians against recruiting thugs to disrupt elections, reminding them that political opportunities could come at different times and that violence was not a legitimate route to power.
The REC maintained that Anambra had continued to record free, fair, credible, inclusive and conclusive elections since the 2023 general election, expressing confidence that the commission would sustain the standard in future polls.
She appealed to political parties to organise peaceful and orderly campaigns, urging candidates to tell voters who they are, what they intend to do and how their proposed policies would benefit the public.
Agwu further disclosed that INEC’s online recruitment portal was open for applications for various ad hoc positions ahead of the elections, encouraging qualified residents of Anambra State to apply.
