…Party Agents, Security Operatives Implicated In Cash-For-Votes Scheme
… Low Turnout, BVAS Glitches Disenfranchise Voters Across LGAs
Daud Olatunji
Widespread vote buying, bribery of electoral officials and low voter turnout characterised Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, despite largely peaceful voting across many polling units.
Findings by observers across several local government areas, with data provided by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development to PLATFORM TIMES, revealed that while the election was generally calm, incidents of voter inducement, procedural violations and technical failures raised concerns about the integrity of the exercise.
In Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, vote buying was openly carried out as voters were allegedly handed cash shortly after casting their ballots. Observers reported that security personnel not only looked on but allegedly aided the process by directing voters to designated locations where payments were made discreetly.
A similar pattern was observed in Ise/Orun LGA, where party agents reportedly compiled names of voters and later summoned them to hidden locations for financial rewards. In one instance, an elderly woman was heard demanding payment after voting, underscoring how entrenched the practice had become.
In Ikere and other parts of the state, party operatives were said to have used coded tags and numbered papers to track voters for post-voting payments, suggesting a coordinated inducement strategy.
Allegations of bribery also extended to electoral officials. In Ilejemeje LGA, an observer reported witnessing a party agent allegedly handing N30,000 to an Assistant Presiding Officer, while another official was seen counting bundles of cash reportedly received from party representatives.
Beyond financial inducement, breaches of voting procedures were recorded. In Ikole LGA, party agents were seen entering voting cubicles with voters, undermining ballot secrecy. Elsewhere, security personnel were positioned too close to ballot boxes, while in some units, voters were openly guided on whom to vote for.
There were also cases of intimidation and harassment of observers. In one polling unit, an observer was forced to delete recorded footage after being confronted by security operatives and party agents.
Voter apathy emerged as a major feature of the election, with many polling units recording low turnout. In Ado Ekiti, only 89 out of 502 registered voters had cast their ballots in one unit as of midday, while another recorded just 123 votes from over 700 registered voters.
Several polling units were completely deserted hours before the close of voting, with officials confirming that all willing voters had already cast their ballots. In some areas, observers described polling units as “dry,” with minimal voter presence throughout the day.
Technical challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) further compounded the situation. Across multiple LGAs, malfunctioning devices delayed accreditation, failed to verify voters, or inaccurately recorded figures.
In some cases, the BVAS rejected legitimate voters, including elderly citizens, while others experienced discrepancies between accredited voters and actual votes cast. Reports also indicated instances where the system “reduced” previously accredited voters or went completely blank, preventing eligible voters from voting.
Despite these challenges, election officials in many areas maintained that the process was largely orderly. Voting commenced as scheduled in most polling units, and security personnel were generally present to maintain peace.
However, isolated incidents of disorder were reported, including arguments between security agents and election officials, as well as disputes over voting procedures and access to polling areas.
In a few locations, calls were made to extend voting hours due to low turnout, with some individuals even suggesting that voting should continue without proper accreditation—an action that would contravene electoral guidelines.
.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
