APC, PDP induced voters with money in Osun: YIAGA Africa

An election monitoring group, YIAGA Africa, says it received reports of acts of alleged vote-buying perpetrated by agents of the APC and PDP in some polling units during the Osun governorship elections on Saturday.

Addressing the press on the group’s mid-day situational reports on Saturday, Hussain Abdu, the group’s board chairman, alleged that some party agents induced voters with as low as N2,000.

“For instance, PU 009, Akinlalu Commercial Grammar School, Ward 01 in Ife North, the party agents strategically positioned themselves by the voting cubicle to see how voters marked their ballots.

“In PU 003 Opp. Olomu Mosque in Osogbo, PDP party agents were allegedly seen handing out between N2000 and N5000 to induce voters.

“Also, in Disu Polling Unit 003, ward 7 in Orolu LGA, APC agents were allegedly  seen distributing N4000 to voters who voted for the party while PDP party agents were also allegedly seen distributing N2000 to induce voters,” he said.

However, Mr Abdu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the early arrival of polling officials and materials at polling units.

“As of 7:30 a.m., Yiaga Africa WTV observers reported that INEC officials had arrived at 78 per cent of polling units.

“By 8:30 a.m., 41 per cent  of polling units had commenced accreditation and voting and by 9:00 a.m. 89 per cent  of polling units had commenced accreditation and voting.

“This, however, increased to 96 per cent  by 9:30 a.m. This is consistent with Yiaga Africa’s observation findings in the 2018 elections, where 91 per cent  of polling units opened by 9:00 a.m.”

He also said the group observed the deployment of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) across the polling units visited which functioned optimally.

The group commended the voters in Osun for their peaceful conduct during the election.

(NAN)