INEC: Politicians gave voters N5000 each in Ondo, Anambra — but it won’t happen in Ekiti

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned candidates contesting the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti state against inducing voters with cash.

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the commission, gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday.

He said the commission was working with law enforcement agents to prevent vote buying during the poll.

Yakubu was represented by Solomon Soyebi, INEC national chairman in charge of Oyo Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states.

“The elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states were largely monetised. We are aware of this. It was see and buy, but we promise you, it won’t happen in Ekiti,” he said.

“It was N5,000 per vote in Ondo and Anambra states. We are working with security agencies not to allow it to happen again. We even seized some cash in Anambra state.

“In Ekiti election, we won’t allow any vehicle to come near the polling units because the politicians used to keep the money in the booth. With this, it will reduce because politicians can’t carry large amount in their pockets.”

The INEC chairman gave the assurance that INEC would be neutral in the election, urging the stakeholders to work hard to mobilise the people for the continuous registration exercise and also claim the over 200,000 permanent voter cards that were still with the commission.