The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has issued a stern warning against over-voting in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that individuals who engage in this practice will face arrest by the police. This warning was articulated during a recent interaction with journalists on a Twitter space, which was monitored by the media.
Dr. Agboke explained that over-voting constitutes a violation of electoral law, as it involves a voter casting a vote for more than one candidate or recording multiple votes for a single candidate in one election. He stated, “Let every Nigerian be told to do the right thing. Party agents and security agencies will be present, and there is a code of conduct established by INEC. We will monitor the process, and if I observe any intention to facilitate over-voting, not only the voter but all poll officials present will be arrested, detained, and prosecuted by the police.” He further noted that he has been actively spreading awareness about this issue, highlighting the powers granted to him under the Electoral Act.
Dr. Agboke clarified the role of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), stating that it is designed for voter accreditation rather than voting itself. Voters must undergo the accreditation process with the Assistant Presiding Officer 1 and Assistant Presiding Officer 2 before returning to the Presiding Officer to receive their ballot paper. He emphasized that if a ballot paper is found in a voter’s possession at any point, it is presumed that they have already passed through the BVAS.
He assured that the BVAS will not facilitate or encourage over-voting; rather, it will help expose any instances where over-voting may have occurred. According to Section 51(1) of the Electoral Act, “No voter shall vote for more than one candidate or record more than one vote in favour of one candidate at one election.” Dr. Agboke also pointed out that the electoral law stipulates that if the number of votes cast in any polling unit exceeds the number of accredited voters, the election results for that unit must be canceled.
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