Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set up a task force to monitor persons who intend to fund vote buying in the coming elections.

This move comes barely 24 hours after Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) inaugurated an inter-agency campaign finance monitoring group to track the source of funding and expenditure of all candidates and political parties.

An official of the commission who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak said the team will track ill-gotten and stolen wealth ”that is likely to be used to buy votes in the election”.

He said some politicians are plotting to use Lebanese communities in Nigeria to smuggle in money “through our porous borders” to cause confusion and buy votes.

He said the commission ”has shut down all other operations” to enable its officials focus on tracking money.

He said EFCC is exploring all possibilities, ”locking down all avenues that such money can come from.”

“As far as EFCC is concerned, the era of money politics is gone. We want to ensure a free and fair election in line with world best practice,” he said.

Spokesman Evasive

When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Mr Tony Orilade, neither confirmed nor denied the issue.

He, however, explained that the commission has warned against vote buying and ”measures have been put in place to ensure that those who have such plans fail”.

“The measures put in place is not for us to tell you. Politicians have been warned not to induce voters because that is money laundering.

“Anyone who violates this law will have EFCC to contend with. We are not saying they shouldn’t come to vote; we are saying, don’t induce anyone with money to vote for you,” he said.

He also said EFCC is working on dissuading violence to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

PT