The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed worry over cash inducements to voters by political parties and their candidates.

The commission’s deputy director on voter education and publicity, Nick Dazang, said this in an interview with NAN.

He said INEC is troubled over reports of alleged inducement of voters during the Edo state governorship election.

He urged all stakeholders to assist INEC tackle the challenge.

“The commission received about 29 calls and SMSs alleging that some people were inducing voters with money during the election,” he said.

“The reports which are from different bodies and monitoring group indicated that major political parties were involved in the ugly incident.

“We are troubled by it and I am saying that over voting and the use of money as inducement to voters is of concern to us and other stakeholders.

“Going forward we need to put this on the agenda, discuss and address it squarely before it become another major challenge to our electoral process.”

Dazang also advise Nigerians to restrain from collecting inducements from candidates, stating that they are the ones who will bear the brunt in the end.

“This is something that is rearing its ugly head and it has implication for the electoral process,” he said.

“When you collect money and vote for a person, it means you are mortgaging your right. Also that person you are collecting money from may not be able to deliver dividends of democracy to you.

“This is a right that is as ineligible as your right to life, your right to education, your right to religion freedom. All these are enshrined in the United Nations declaration.

“For you now to take money and forget your conscience shows that you are now mortgaging also your rights to vote for a candidate of your choice.

“You have equally mortgaged your right to make the man accountable at the end of the day.”