By Ere-ebi Agedah
A new public opinion poll conducted by NOIPolls has revealed that 37 percent of adult Nigerians interviewed disclosed that the desperation of the political class to win elections is the major cause of vote buying during elections.
According to NOIPolls, another 30 percent of respondents who have registered to vote during the 2023 general election claimed that they would accept gifts or favors from politicians and their cronies stressing that they would accept money gifts if it is offered to them.
In a statement made available to journalists, the poll further revealed that despite the negative effects of vote buying on democracy, 26 percent of registered voters said they would be willing to sell their votes for monetary or material gains during elections.
NOIPoll noted that the polls show the need for a campaign against vote-buying and more voter education leading up to the 2023 polls.
Also, the statement added that on the degree of certainty to vote in the upcoming election, the poll found that 92 percent of adult Nigerians nationwide who are registered to vote in the 2023 general elections are certain that they will vote noting that only 83 percent of these respondents are certain that they will participate in the upcoming elections.
‘‘The polls shows a lack of understanding on the part of the electorate about the phenomenon of vote buying as a very critical impediment to genuine democratic consolidation, as voters who allow unscrupulous politicians to use them to get into office by means of this electoral shenanigan should know that they are throwing away their fundamental rights to democratic accountability through this selfish act’’
NOIPolls however stated that to combat the threat of vote-buying, relevant stakeholders should demand that the privileges associated with holding political office be significantly reduced, the abusive influence of money in the selection of candidates in political parties be controlled, electorates educated on why they should reject all forms of partisan inducements, and that the electoral commission improves the current measures on ballot secrecy.
