The two major contending parties in the ongoing Osun election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have devised new methods of voters’ inducement.
Rather than the usual money sharing on election day, the parties have resorted to collating names for payment later.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier in the week banned the use of mobile phones around the polling booth to forestall vote buying.
However, PREMIUM TIMES reporter observed this in many polling units visited in Ede North local Government.
At Polling Unit 2, Ward 11, party agent of APC (pictured) was seen holding a note with pen which he uses in writing names after electorates might have voted.
PHOTO CREDIT: CTA Monitoring group
He at short intervals withdraws to nearby secluded places to collect the names.
Some of his conversation with the electorates were recorded.
“Have you written my name?” a middle aged woman asked in one of the instances.
“Yes, we’ll see later,” the agent replied.
His name could not be ascertained at the time of filling this report. He also could not provide details of what he was writing when asked by this reporter.
Phoot Credit: CTAOBSERVERS
The same trend was observed at Polling Unit 3, Ward 11, Polling Unit 5, Ward 11 and Polling Unit 4, same Ward 11.
In all of the polling units, APC agents had with them all writing materials.
Other parties like PDP and ADP were also in the trade.
A voter who is familiar with the process, having written his name, said the list would be used in money collection after voting.
He said, “They (party agents) will ask you to write your names and give you money later. We don’t know how much it will be as they didn’t tell but they will surely give us money.
“You have money for yourself whichever one you pick. PDP gave us N500 in the last election. In some places it was up to N2,000.”
It was also observed that the APC was sharing money at Polling Unit 005, Ward 5 Ileogbo Ayedire Local Government Area confirmed.
Some of the recipient complained of being given N2,000 while some said they were given N500.
Two underage age person were also caught in this centre by the security personnel and they were later allowed to vote.
Photo Credit: CTAOBSERVERS
In Ward 05, PU 007, Ataoja E, Odofin Peter Ajibola, Osogbo LG, an SDP agent was seen distributing snacks to people on the queue though not everyone was accepting it.
Also In Ward 004 PU005 of Ayedaade LGA, vote buying was sniffed by the electorates who raised alarm.
Security personnel waded in and the act has been botched, tentatively.
Photo Credit: CTAOBSERVERS
The SPO warned against vote buying and that the act should be carried out around the voting centres.
“It can, however, be bought outside the voting area,” he added.
There was however controversy at Ara/ ward 3/town hall/ Egbedore LG between the party agents and police officers as the officers the use of mobile phones at the polling booths.
Premium Times
