The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to quickly look into claims of vote buying, pre-thumbprinted ballots, and the possible distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during the governorship election in Ekiti State on Saturday.
This call came in a statement signed by Olawale Okunniyi, who leads the movement’s national secretariat.
Their concern follows reports of vote buying in various areas of Ekiti, a situation already noted by PREMIUM TIMES reporters and election observers watching the election.
Earlier on Saturday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that political actors and their agents were openly giving cash to voters in several communities, despite repeated warnings from electoral authorities and anti-corruption bodies.
The newspaper also reported claims made by Dare Bejide, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress. He said he confronted people who were allegedly giving money to voters.
In its statement, MCE expressed worry about videos and reports on social media that suggest attempts to affect the fairness of the election.
The group mentioned allegations of voter inducement, a case involving a pre-thumbprinted ballot paper, and claims that uncollected PVCs might have been given to people brought into the state to sway the election results.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported how Yiaga Africa highlighted inconsistencies in ballot papers and results sheets for the Ekiti governorship election.
While saying that voting went mostly smoothly in many areas, MCE stressed that the claims are serious enough for electoral and law enforcement bodies to investigate.
"Silence or inaction by relevant authorities, especially INEC, could further erode public trust in Nigeria’s democracy," the group said.
MCE asked for a detailed forensic review of the alleged pre-thumbprinted ballot paper issue, including checking the polling unit involved and examining election materials to see if there were any breaches of electoral procedures.
The organization also requested that INEC look into claims about the distribution of uncollected PVCs and publish clear records of the measures taken to prevent unauthorized access to voter cards.
They also called on security agencies and electoral authorities to check video evidence circulating online and prosecute anyone found guilty of vote buying, ballot manipulation, voter impersonation, or illegal possession of PVCs.
The group suggested setting up a clear way for voters, journalists, observers, and political parties to report evidence of election misconduct.
They called for a joint public briefing by INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, the State Security Service, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on what is being done to address these claims and ensure the election's integrity.
MCE urged security agencies to stay neutral during the counting and announcement of results and advised political parties to address their issues through legal means.
"The people of Ekiti deserve an election that shows their true democratic choices and not one marred by allegations of vote buying, ballot manipulation, voter impersonation, or misuse of electoral materials," the statement said.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇