A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), raised alarm over reports of vote buying during the recent Edo State election.
According to the CSOs, politicians were allegedly offering bread and ₦5,000 in exchange for votes at various polling units across the state.
“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel,” the group said in a statement on Saturday afternoon.
The statement was co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.
“The price of votes ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs.
“In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,” the group said.
The group acknowledged the arrest of two alleged vote traders at George Idah Primary School, Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area.
READ MORE: Edo 2024: Only Poor Network Will Hinder Electronic Transmission of Results – Onuoah, INEC REC
The Situation Room praised the peaceful conduct of voters and encouraged them to remain calm throughout the election process.
The Situation Room is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), and YIAGA Africa, alongside TAF Africa.
Other members include the Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability (formerly Alliance for Credible Elections), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), DIG Ebonyi, New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), Life and Peace Development Organization (LAPDO), Rural Youth Initiative, Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA), and Josemaria Escriva Foundation.
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