INEC ISSUES STRICT WARNING AGAINST VOTE TAMPERING AHEAD OF 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS, REAFFIRMS SEVERE PENALTIES FOR OFFENDERS

Electoral body cautions political actors, party agents, and election staff that vote manipulation carries heavy fines and imprisonment under Electoral Act provisions

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political parties, candidates, party agents, and its own operational staff against any attempt to tamper with election results or compromise ballot integrity in upcoming polls.

The commission reaffirmed that severe legal sanctions, including statutory prison terms and hefty monetary fines, await anyone caught engaging in electoral malpractice, ballot box snatching, falsification of result sheets, or unauthorized interference with electronic transmission systems.

Electoral officials emphasized that legal provisions under the Electoral Act will be strictly enforced without exception, stressing that ad hoc staff and permanent personnel found complicit in altering vote counts will face direct criminal prosecution alongside external political co-conspirators.

INEC reiterated its commitment to deepening democratic transparency by strengthening technological safeguards, refining result viewing portals, and maintaining strict audit trails to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot across all polling units nationwide.

Urging political stakeholders to prioritize peaceful participation and respect democratic norms, the commission advised political parties to focus on constructive voter engagement rather than attempting to subvert the sovereign will of the electorate through illegal practices.