INEC Raises Concern Over Vote Buying

INEC Raises Concern Over Vote Buying

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has noted its worry concerning vote-buying.

INEC revealed this while commenting on the Ekiti elections won by All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Kayode Fayemi.

Punch reports that a communique signed by the National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said that although the election was free and fair, the rising trend of vote-buying is worrying.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed displeasure over the open buying of votes in the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election won by the All Progressives Congress.

This was contained in a communiqué issued after its regular meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners from all the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the communiqué signed by the National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the Commission noted that although the exercise was free and fair, vote-buying marred the poll.

It read in part, “The Commission reviewed the conduct of the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State and preparations for the September 22, 2018 Osun governorship election.

“It noted the satisfactory conduct of the Ekiti governorship election as attested to by both domestic and international observers, the media and other stakeholders.

“The meeting also noted with deep concern, the rising phenomenon of vote-buying during elections and restated its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend.”

The Commission promised to further improve on the success recorded in the Ekiti election.