Combating Vote Buying Syndrome
As a part of efforts to arrest the horrendous practice of vote buying, INEC announced its banning of phones at cubicles across the polling units. The decision is generating diverse arguments in the public sphere. It is important to state here, Vote buying is not new to our democracy. The undoing however is the renew usurpation and acceptability of the inimical phenomenon. While Nigerian politicians would do anything to stick to power, tricking gullible Nigerian through vote buying is not out of place.

Would Banning of phones stop Vote buying?
No. In as much people continue living in abject poverty-mental, socaial, materials, Vote buying would pervade. With or without phones, people can transact mandates for money. INEC might have done well by denying people from snapping ballot papers as evidence for collection of money from moneybag politicians, that to me is inadequate to osbsruct the unholy practice.

Way Forward!
Ignorance is not an excuse. People should be broaden. Political education should be steered among voting populace. Voters education must be carried out from time to time. Our political parties should live beyond filing candidates for elections, members education is sacrosanct.
Law Enforcement Agencies: if vote buying is a criminal offence as stipulated in the constitution. It's high time law enforcement agencies took it as a task-prosecuting individuals or party involved in the act.
Selling your mandate is equivalent to selling a soul. #Saynotovotebuying#

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