Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC on Monday, Mahmood Yakubu said the commission may ban the use of mobile phones at polling units. According to prof Yakubu, phones would be collected from voters when they collect their ballot papers to curb vote buying.
INEC chairman made this known in Osogbo at the stakeholders’ forum, as he says this would help the upcoming gubernatorial election in Osun to be free and fair.
In a quick response, some commenters opined that the idea is such a good one as it would encourage bribing of INEC officials and was also an infringement on the rights of voters.
However, there were a few, who totally supported the idea, saying it would definitely help curb vote buying.
See reactions
Move by @inecnigeria to ban the use of mobile phones in the polling booth is a welcome development, it will at least reduce the ‘see and buy’ method of voters snapping the ballot paper in exchange for money inducement by political parties. Pleasing INEC is becoming proactive.
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) September 17, 2018
Move by @inecnigeria to ban the use of mobile phones in the polling booth is a welcome development, it will at least reduce the ‘see and buy’ method of voters snapping the ballot paper in exchange for money inducement by political parties. Pleasing INEC is becoming proactive.
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) September 17, 2018
All the agents have to do is bribe the INEC officials who are either owed or underpaid to allow select voters take their phones to verify their compliance for the paid votes. The ignorant order is an isomorphic mimicry deployed to absolve INEC from their complicit in this mess.
— SEGA L’éveilleur®🚨 (@segalink) September 17, 2018
INEC cannot ban the use of cell phones at polling stations. The Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) is exhaustive on what is not permissible during elections and using phones is not prohibited. Such policy will be an infringement on the right to property and freedom of expression.
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) September 16, 2018