By Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.

The Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has expressed deep concern over the 70,000 multiple registrants found in the Kogi voter register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Executive Director Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Comrade Idris Miliki, barred his mind on Tuesday in Lokoja at a one-day Post Primary elections engagement with political parties, organized by the organization (CHRCCR) in Partnership with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC) on prioritizing anti-corruption and accountability Issues towards 2023 Elections.

He recommended that INEC should work very hard to correct the situation given the improvement in the 2022 amendments as contained in the Electoral Act.

“Unfortunately, political parties are the culprits in vote-buying, the electorates who sell their votes are also culpable as there won’t be buyers if there are no sellers.” Comrade Miliki lamented.

While expressing confidence in the new Electoral Act, he pointed out that the document has greatly helped in the improvement of the Ekiti Governorship, adding that CHRCR would sustain its Sensitization and engagement with citizens ahead of the 2023 General elections.

Com Miliki however, praised the introduction of the BIVAS machine as another improvement in the nation’s electoral system.

The Executive Director described vote-buying and selling as a criminal offense, urging political parties to incorporate Anti-corruption and Accountability Issues in the 2023 Elections.

Comr. Miliki also advised on the need for the inclusion of more vulnerable and marginalized groups throughout the election processes towards 2023, just as he appealed to parties to engage them in issues-based campaigns, as it would go a long way in checking vote-buying.

The various Political parties present at the meeting pledged commitments to fight issues of corruption, as they already have documents given to candidates of the parties that emerged at the primaries.

The objective of the one-day engagement by CHRCR in partnership with CISLAC is to reduce corruption in Nigeria by bolstering support for Social Inclusion amongst critical groups and strengthening policies and programs for anti-corruption at the state level in Nigeria as the country prepares for the general election in 2023.