News Flash: 2023, Dr. Nwachukwu Moves Against Vote Buying

Forum 1 year ago

News Flash: 2023, Dr. Nwachukwu Moves Against Vote Buying

*Vote Buying And Selling, A Danger To Nigeria's Democracy ---Dr. Nwachukwu Declares*

Trading of votes during elections has been explained to be the most cause to Nigeria's dwindling democracy, because it prevents the electorates from electing into offices credible candidates with vision of transformation.

The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency in February election, Dr. Amaechi Nwachukwu made this known today in Awka, during a one-hour live radio interactive program on Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS.

Speaking courageously on the topic: "The Menace of Vote Buying and Selling in Nigeria Electoral System", the medical practitioner asserted that the phenomenon can hurt the country’s democracy in the long run. He maintained that elections are said to be a central feature of democracy and for them to express the will of the electorate, they must be free and fair.

Dr. Nwachukwu emphasized that many democracy proponents believe that if an election is free, it means that all those entitled to vote are rightly registered and are totally free to make their choice of candidate without imposition or inducement which he said cannot be said of elections in the country, where the inducement of voters by parties and politicians has somewhat become the order of the day.

According to Dr. Nwachukwu; "Vote buying is rarely an isolated action, and it perpetuates corruption throughout the entire political system. When a candidate chooses to pay for support, rather than compete fairly for votes, they show a disregard for democratic norms and a willingness to use illegal means.

“If they see that buying off supporters worked during the election, what is to stop them from using that strategy in other areas of governance? Broadly speaking, vote buying obstructs the democratic process by interfering with the rights of citizens to freely decide who will represent them and their interests. This can result in the candidate with the deepest pockets winning the election, rather than the candidate who would best serve their constituents.

"Ideally, elections create a “social contract” between candidates and constituents who voted with the presumption that the candidates will govern along the lines of their stated policy platforms. Vote buying enables poor governance and undercuts citizens’ ability to hold their elected officials accountable.

"If a candidate believes all they need to do to be elected is pay off voters and government officials, they will have no incentive to be responsive to issues their constituents care about — issues like water and basic amenities, education and unemployment".

The renowned orthopaedic surgeon further explained that along with damaging the candidate’s credibility, vote buying also deters aspiring political leaders from running for office because it suggests that money, rather than ideas or experience is how to win an election.

He said; "Trading of votes always discourages qualified candidates from running for office, while entrenching corrupt officials in their positions. In places where vote buying is common, candidates face the dilemma of needing to mobilize most of their resources to buy the votes and assuming office with significant debts from campaigning.

"Vote buying makes it impossible to meet these standards by penalizing potential candidates who are at an economic disadvantage, especially women and minority politicians with good intention to represent or govern", Dr. Nwachukwu stated.

The ZLP House of Reps hopeful however, commended the Independent Electoral Commission(INEC), for introducing into Nigeria electoral system a modern technology, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BVAS) and extended same gesture to General Buhari, Rtd-led Presidency and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele for the recent currency redesigning and cash withdrawal policy which he said would help in mitigating the ugly trend in Nigeria's electoral process, especially during the upcoming February 2023 elections.