Edo election: Party agents try to subvert voters through vote buying – Yiaga
2 min read
By Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2024 (NAN) Yiaga Africa observers reported incidents of vote
buying in Ikpoba/Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West and
Uhunmode LGAs.
This was made known In a statement by Dr Aisha Abdullahi, Chairperson of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, Yiaga Africa on Saturday in Abuja.
According to her, the APC and PDP party agents were seen bribing voters with N10,000 at the Igueben – Idumoka Pri School polling unit
(12-10-03-004) Ward 1 in Igueben LGA.
Abdullahi said party agents for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were also seen handing out cash gifts of N10,000 in Enikaro – Enikaro
Primary School IX Polling Unit (12-11-07-009) in Ugbekun ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA.
“Yiaga Africa commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and security agencies for their swift action in arresting suspected vote-buyers at polling units in Egor and Oredo LGAs.
“The commission should extend its operations to other LGAs where votes are being traded for N10,000 per voter even in the presence of security personnel.
“The Nigeria Police is also applauded for arresting and disarming political thugs with firearms on the eve of the election, contributing to a more secure election day environment.”
Other findings, according to Abdullahi were the a slow start to the voting process, with INEC officials arriving in only 43 per cent of polling units early.
“Four polling units failed to open. This incidence was reported in 2 polling units in Egor, 1 in Esan South East, and 1 in Etsako West.
“Delayed commencement of voting due to BVAS Malfunction: The BVAS malfunctioned in Ayogwiri Town Hall, Ayogwiri Polling Unit, of Uzairure South East ward in Etsako West LGA.
“At Ebua Market Square in Uhunwode LGA, an altercation between APC and PDP supporters over alleged bribery led to the suspension of voting and the destruction of the voting cubicle.
” Political thugs also disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA.”
Abdullahi therefore recommended for future elections security agencies should enhance their presence in polling units and wards where delays occurred due to the late arrival of INEC officials.
To prevent political thugs from exploiting the situation to compromise the process.
She also recommended that INEC should take urgent actions in polling units where cases of infractions and non compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC guidelines occurred.
“Particularly non-use of BVAS for accreditation, non-compliance with results counting and collation procedures.
“This will deepen the legitimacy of the outcome of the elections. Security agencies should respond promptly to reports of voter intimidation and attacks at the polling unit to accord citizens the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” Abdullahi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yiaga Africa deployed the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology to observe the Edo governorship election.
This involved 300 stationary and 25 roving observers, covering a representative sample of polling units across all 18 LGAs. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
