Adebayo Adenrele
…hails DSS for arresting alleged vote traders
Center For Transparency Advocacy (CTA), has raised alarm over the incidents of vote buying recorded in some local governments during the Ondo gubernatorial election.
Addressing journalists, the Director of the center, Faith Nwadishi said their observers recorded cases of vote buying and trading in some polling units which include: Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), where voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering N10,000 per vote and PDP N3,000.
Other are: Odigbo LGA, ward 01, unit 001, Ese-Odo, Ward 07, unit 013, Ward 5, PU 001 located at st Johns Primary School, Iba Akoko South East, Ondo Central senatorial district such as Ifedore LGA, Ward 1, PU 12 (Olafare), Ondo East LGA, Ward 002, PU 002 and Akure North LGA, Ward 5, PU 13.
The group also commended the operatives of Department of State Security Service (DSS) for apprehending two suspected vote traders who were caught with two bags filled with cash and machetes in their car booth.
She urged political stakeholders to mobilize their members to vote rather than luring them with incentives.
Her words, “Vote buying or vote trading is constantly diminishing the progress we have made in our electoral process.
“Security agencies must take the lead in collaborating with other relevant parties in devising effective method to combat this wholesome occurrence.
“INEC must continue to show transparency in the electoral process. They must retain the logistic strategy that works well especially the deployment of materials.
“Political parties should tutor their agents of proper conduct at polling units and collation centre. They should should mobilise their members to vote rather than inducing people into vote buying”.