From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned of its readiness to prosecute persons found culpable of voter inducement in any form, including vote-buying at polling units during this weekend’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election. 
Commission’s chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, handed the warning at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, warning that involvement is a violation of the law.
He also disclosed that a total number of 2,242 foreign and local field electoral observers will be participating in the poll.
Prof Yakubu also revealed that no fewer than seven Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), including the FCT REC will be deployed, announcing the ban of all forms of mobile phones near the voting cubicles.
“Our eyes are on all our officials, be they ad hoc or regular staff, to ensure that they strictly abide by the rules. All parties, candidates and their supporters should do the same. No one will benefit from the disruption of the process or other acts of bad behaviour. Let the voters in the FCT choose their leaders in a free, fair and peaceful contest.​
“I would like to reiterate that voter inducement in all forms, including vote-buying at polling units, is a violation of the law. The ban on the use of mobile phones and other photographic devices in the voting cubicles is still in force.
“Let me reassure you that the Commission is committed to free, fair and credible process. However, we need a similar commitment of especially the political parties and candidates to realise these goals.
“Therefore, at today’s meeting, parties and candidates will be required to resolve, pledge, affirm and commit to peaceful conduct before, during and after the election,” he said.
On the observers and RECs for deployment, he said: “I would like to assure all stakeholders that the Commission will protect the transparency and integrity of the process. In line with this commitment, we have accredited 58 observer groups (53 domestic and five foreign) that are deploying a total of 2,242 field observers. We have similarly accredited 45 media organisations deploying 340 journalists to cover the election.
“We will work with the security agencies to ensure that observers and the media are granted unimpeded access to voting and collation locations. I call upon the media and observers to operate within the context of the code of conduct for election observation and media coverage.
“The Commission is also deploying six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to support the REC for the FCT and three National Commissioners to supervise the conduct of the election,” he revealed.
Giving more updates on the preparations, he said: “Non-pharmaceutical materials have been procured to protect voters and personnel from COVID-19 in line with the Commission’s policy based on the protocols prescribed by health authorities. Voter education and publicity have been carried out.
“Transport arrangements have been made, including motorcycles for remote locations and boats for riverine areas. We shall deploy assistive devices such as Braille ballot guide and magnifying glasses for the physically challenged voters.
“We had several meetings with the security agencies in the area councils, the FCT and the national level on how to address potential threats to the election and secure the election. All non-sensitive materials have already been delivered to the Area Councils. On Thursday February 10, 2022 i.e. in the next two days, sensitive materials will be delivered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to our FCT Office in Garki.
“As usual, party agents, observers and the media will be invited to inspect the materials before they are moved to the Area Councils on the same day. Security personnel will provide escort to the Area Councils and protection of the materials until they reach the polling units on Election Day,” he assured.