Ondo Election: YIAGA Africa Hails DSS For Arresting Man Trading Votes

By Philip Tayo

YIAGA Africa has hailed the operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, for apprehending and arresting a man involved in the trading votes at the Saint Stephen Polling Unit in Ward 4, Akure during the Ondo State Governorship Election held on Saturday.

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The Chair of the 2024 Ondo Election Mission for YIAGA Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu and her colleague, the Director of Programs for YIAGA Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu made the remarks while addressing journalists during their Mid-day Situational Statement on the Ondo State Governorship Election held on Saturday across the 18 local government areas of the State at the Dejavu Hotel, Alagbaka in Akure, Ondo State.

YIAGA Africa while briefing newsmen revealed that there was widespread occurrence of vote buying across several polling units, which is becoming a permanent feature in the Country’s electoral process. They described such practice as a cover to electoral corruption and political inequality in the Country.

Adding, the YIAGA Africa through its leaders, commended the efforts of the Department of State Security, DSS, for apprehending and arresting one individual who is allegedly involved in the trading of votes at a government primary school as mentioned above.

Speaking further on it’s mid-day findings, the internationally recognized election observer organization also praised the Independent National Electoral Commission for ensuring the early arrival of INEC Officials and commencement of polls.

Assessing the conduct of the Ondo poll, YIAGA Africa observed adequate deployment of election materials like the register of voters, voting cubicle, official stamp, ink pad and indellible ink among others.

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The election observer group equally hailed INEC for ensuring the deployments of the BVAS, party agents, security personnels and unfettered access to polling units for voters with disabilities.

According to the YIAGA Africa, they identified the major infractions which occurred during the Ondo poll which serve as obstruction of election observation, disruptions of voting, vote – buying at polling units.

Citing instances of places where vote buying took place during the Saturday election in Ondo, they mentioned places like the APC Akure South LGA due which mentioned the Ooni of Ooni of Ile Ife.

Pointing out, it was revealed that places like Odulufe, Omoke, Odosika, Ohungbenbe experience irregularities in Ile – OlujiI II of Ileoluji LGA was observed offering cash inducements of N20,000 to voters in exchange for their vote and for their party.

They lamented about the situation when the security agents refused to intervene to stop this action. Voters unfortunately , security did not intervene to stop this action.

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Also, YIAGA Africa said voters at the Ogun/Saruku area polling unit in Ilara II Ward, Ifedore local government areas, revealed how they their ballot papers to agents of the APC party.