Ondo Ballot: CSOs decry vote shopping for, blame events, candidates

Three Civil Society Organisations that deployed observers for the Ondo State Governorship Election have condemned the vote buying and selling that tainted the polls throughout the state.

The CSOs—Yiaga Africa, Civil Society State of affairs Room, and the Centre for Democracy and Growth (CDD)—highlighted the well timed arrival of voting supplies at many polling centres throughout their post-election media briefings on Saturday in Akure.

Nonetheless, they lamented the persistence of vote buying and selling, even within the presence of safety brokers, and known as for pressing motion to deal with the issue.

Chairman of the 2024 Ondo Election Mission for Yiaga Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, acknowledged that political events and their candidates have been accountable for the widespread observe of vote shopping for.

He stated, “Yiaga Africa noticed widespread vote shopping for throughout a number of polling models, which is changing into a everlasting function of our electoral course of. We strongly condemn this observe because it fosters electoral corruption and political inequality.

“We commend the Division of State Safety for arresting a person allegedly concerned in vote buying and selling on the St. Stephen Polling Unit in Ward 4, Akure.

“Yiaga Africa holds political events and their candidates accountable for this persistent challenge. They can not distance themselves from the vote shopping for that continues to undermine our electoral processes.”

Equally, representatives of the Civil Society State of affairs Room and the CDD, Mimidoo Achakpa and Seyi Awojolugbe, shared their findings, highlighting infractions noticed in the course of the election.

Awojolugbe, presenting the CDD-Election Evaluation Centre’s findings, famous a number of situations of vote shopping for.

“In Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters have been solicited for his or her votes, with APC allegedly providing ₦10,000 per voter and PDP ₦3,000. In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), related allegations have been made.

“Our observers additionally reported situations of digital cash transfers by social gathering brokers to keep away from utilizing money. In Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Group, Arogbo Ward 2), APC was alleged to have provided ₦5,000 per voter, whereas PDP provided ₦3,000.

“Vote shopping for was additionally prevalent in Ward 5, PU 001, St John’s Major School, Iba, Akoko South East. APC leaders have been seen compiling names of voters who supported their candidate and issuing playing cards with directions to gather money at a delegated location.”

She added that cops have been seen arguing over cash allegedly distributed by a celebration stalwart at Ward 005, PU 001, St Barnabas Major School, Ifon.

Awojolugbe additionally disclosed incidents of voter suppression, significantly at Akoko North West, Oke Agbe Ward 3, Unit 17.

Commending voters for sustaining peace in the course of the election, she urged electoral stakeholders to stick to the rule of legislation and guarantee due course of in future elections.