The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to establish a specialised task force to tackle vote-buying and other forms of financial inducement ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this as the commission intensifies preparations for the elections and seeks stronger measures against electoral malpractice.

Amupitan said vote-buying has evolved beyond activities that occur on election day, with individuals allegedly involved in the practice beginning their operations well ahead of polling.

He explained that the commission would therefore adopt a broader approach that focuses on detecting and preventing attempts to influence voters financially before they arrive at polling units.

The INEC chairman has previously described vote-buying as an electoral offence and stressed the need for law-enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute those involved. During preparations for the 2026 Ekiti governorship election, he also disclosed that INEC was working with agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to combat vote trading.

The planned task force is expected to strengthen coordination among relevant agencies while improving the monitoring of activities that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

Amupitan has also repeatedly emphasised INEC’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in 2027. In a recent statement, he said the commission was working with security agencies to address pre-election violence and other threats capable of disenfranchising voters.

The commission’s renewed focus on vote-buying comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders facing growing pressure to ensure that voters are able to make electoral choices without financial inducement or intimidation.

INEC has urged political parties, candidates, voters and other stakeholders to comply with electoral laws and support efforts aimed at protecting the credibility of the ballot.

The commission has also maintained that enforcement of electoral offences requires cooperation between INEC and the relevant security and law-enforcement agencies.