INEC boss Mahmood Yakubu disagrees with Buhari over killing of ballot box snatchers
INEC boss Mahmood Yakubu has differing opinions on the treatment of election riggers.
President Muhammadu Buhari said on Monday that he had given security operatives the go-ahead to be ruthless in dealing with ballot box snatchers during Saturday’s poll.
Buhari, maintaining his commitment to a free and peaceful poll, said such persons would pay with their lives.
The statement by the President elicited mixed reactions from the public, with many calling it reckless and extreme.
The INEC Chairman while stating his position on the matter at the Abuja International Conference Centre on Tuesday said he would rather such offenders are punished according to law.
“The position of the commission is that all violators of the Electoral Act should be punished according to the provisions of the Electoral Act,” he said.
There are concerns overzealous security operatives could abuse the President’s order.
The law only pronounces 12 months jail sentence for the offence of ballot box snatching.
