Renowned media lawyer and host of Newsfile, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has urged voters to resist accepting incentives from aspirants aimed at persuading their decision ahead of the upcoming general elections.

Following an incident that took place Monday at Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency where a voter took a shot of the ballot sheet after voting, he opined that the decision of the voter should not be influenced by any form of monetary reward, drinks, or food, as enshrined in the constitution.

Read also: Special voting: Voter arrested for attempting to photograph ballot at Ayawaso West Wuogon

Speaking on the Joy FM Super Morning Show on Tuesday, December 3, Lawyer Samson Anyenini explained that a candidate is prohibited from engaging in such acts in an attempt to convince voters to vote for or against a particular candidate.

“A candidate is prohibited from doing such things as may influence a voter, either to vote for or refrain from voting for a particular candidate,” he emphasised.

He stated that votes induced by money are unlawful, hence, once the voter reveals that their decision was influenced by an inducement, they have violated the rules of the law.

“Votes that is induced by money is unlawful, it is clearly stated there, the offence is not committed only before, so if after you can show proof that you voted this way because of this influence then you are caught by the provisions of the law,” he explained.

Lawyer Samson Anyenini also added that there is no provision in the electoral law that prevents an individual from voluntarily disclosing their vote. However, the secrecy of one’s vote must be protected and, therefore, must be safeguarded by the Electoral Commission.

"I have the right for my secrecy of my vote to be protected, and that protection must be provided by the organizer of the elections. If I decide that I don't want you to protect that secrecy, then we will not be in trouble," he concluded.