The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that sellers and buyers of permanent voter’s cards risk two years jail term and a N500,000 fine if caught in the business.

INEC administrative secretary in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this yesterday, in Sokoto, at a one-day Stakeholders’ Forum on the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise, scheduled to begin on Thursday.

The exercise is expected to be flagged off by INEC National Commissioner in charge of the North West, Mrs. Amina Zakari.

He said that a similar punishment would be meted to any person found to be in possession of a voter’s card unlawfully.  “There is also a one-year jail term, N100,000 fine, or both, for any person who makes a false statement, fails to give information or facilitate the registration of a fictitious person,” he said.

He said that a five-year jail term, N500,000 fine, or both, await anyone who induced any person to refrain from registering a voter.

According to Sadiq, same punishment will be meted out to any person who hinders another from registering as a voter.

The official said that the offences contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and warned members of the public to steer clear of them.

He said that INEC was working with security agencies to prevent political parties from hijacking the exercise.

Sadiq warned INEC staff to avoid any action that could compromise the integrity of the exercise, saying that anyone caught would be sanctioned.