The Independent National Electoral Commission says candidates who attempt to influence voters with money or engage in other electoral offences risk prosecution ahead of the 2027 general election. The commission says it will pay closer attention to campaign spending and is urging citizens to report suspected vote buying.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, gave the warning on Friday at a stakeholders’ meeting attended by political party representatives, candidates, community leaders and the media. She urged political parties to focus their campaigns on their programmes and what they intend to offer voters.

Agwu said the commission would not tolerate campaigns built around personal attacks and allegations about candidates’ private lives. Referring to the 2025 Anambra governorship election, she called for a shift towards issue-based campaigning, saying candidates should explain their plans to the electorate rather than resort to character attacks.

On vote buying, the REC called on residents to report incidents they witness, while accusing political parties of contributing to the practice. She urged candidates to use campaign periods to explain their policies and seek public support instead of offering money in exchange for votes.

The commission also warned against the use of thugs to disrupt voting or seize ballot boxes. Agwu said INEC had made preparations to protect the electoral process and maintained that technology would reduce the usefulness of stolen ballot boxes to those attempting to manipulate results.

Agwu further warned politicians against attempting to bribe electoral officials or obtain sensitive election materials to influence results. She said INEC staff had been cautioned against accepting money from politicians and that the commission would pursue prosecution where electoral offences were established. She also noted that some people seeking to rig elections could be deceived by individuals falsely claiming to be INEC officials.

The commission says it is preparing for the 2027 polls and has urged political parties and their candidates to begin preparations early. The effectiveness of its assurances will depend on how suspected offences are investigated, reported cases are handled and electoral laws are enforced, as voters and stakeholders look towards a credible election.