HOURS into the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, vote-buying has been observed in some polling units across local government areas in the state.
The ICIR had earlier reported that some Ekiti teachers received the sum of N3,000 from the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the poll.
In Polling Unit 005, Ward 3, Oye II, residents alleged that APC agents were offering cash for votes.
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The ICIR observed that party agents were paying some voters to vote for their candidates at Polling Unit 005, Ward 3, Oye II, Oye-Ekiti.
It was also observed that the party agents were paying voters through online transfers.
At Polling Unit 04 and 05 in Okesa, Ado Ekiti LG, some voters were also seen asking party agents to include their names in the list of voters to be paid.
Former Oye community youth leader alleges vote-buying by @OfficialAPCNg party members#EkitiDecides #icirelectionreports pic.twitter.com/OO5kF9PcKr
— The ICIR (@TheICIR) June 18, 2022
An agent of the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), identified as Niyi, was seen writing names of voters to be paid N2000 bribe after voting at Polling Unit 002, Odo Emure II, Emure Local Government Area.
Ajibola Amzat, Managing Editor at The ICIR. He can be reached via [email protected]
and @ajibolaamzat on Twitter.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.
Lukman Abolade is an Investigative reporter with The ICIR. Reach out to him via [email protected], on twitter @AboladeLAA and FB @Correction94