The Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), said it noted instances of vote buying in the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election on Saturday.
In a statement signed by the Lead, CDD-EAC Observation Mission Ondo 2024, Professor Victor Adetula, and the Director, CDD-West Africa, Dr. Dauda Garuba, the organisation said in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters were solicited for their votes, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly offering ₦10,000 per voter and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) offering ₦3,000. In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), reports of vote-buying were noted, with APC allegedly offering ₦10,000 and PDP ₦5,000 per voter, the CDD-EAC said.
Observers sent by the organisation also noted that some party agents started transferring money to voters to circumvent having to hold cash. They said in Ese-Odo, Ward 07, Unit 013 (Tari Ama Zion Ugo Community, Arogbo Ward 2), vote-buying was observed, with PDP offering ₦3,000 and APC offering ₦5,000 to voters.
“In places where the practice of ‘see and buy’ was difficult, because of the presence of security personnel, voters were seen capturing their ballot with phones and presented as proof to be paid,” the organisation said.
It said a dispute that required security agents’ intervention was recorded at Ifedore LGA, Ward 1, PU 12 (Olafare), when an APC agent attempted to assist a person with disabilities in voting, which was strongly opposed by a PDP agent.
It said security officials had to be prompted to intervene when APC supporters overpowered PDP agents when voter suppression was noticed at Akoko North West, Oke Agbe Ward 3, Unit 17, the polling unit of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The organisation, however, commended security officials for contributing to crowd control, “however, minimal efforts were made to prevent vote buying and open campaigning at the polling units.”
While lamenting the malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the CDD-EAC noted that there was at least one in all the polling units observed.
The CDD-EAC concluded by urging all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure adherence to the rule of law and due process as the election, collation and declaration of results lead to the point of conclusion.
