By Funmilayo Ojo | Ibadan
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed concern over the alarming rate of vote buying recorded at the recent Ekiti State Governorship election.
Speaking during his valedictory media briefing on Tuesday, the outgoing Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in Oyo State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, commended the anti-graft and security agencies for apprehending some perpetrators at the election.
He said the commission will ensure the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) persecute persons arrested in connection with vote buying.
“With less than ten months towards the forthcoming General Elections, the Commission is prepared to conduct, credible, free and fair elections in the State.
“However, issue of vote buying remains a major area of concern. The Commission appreciate the roles being played by the anti-corruption and security agencies in apprehending some of the perpetrators of this brazen assault on our democracy.
“In particular, we are working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure the prosecution of persons arrested in the recent Ekiti Governorship Election. Action will commence as soon as the EFCC complete its investigation.”
Adegoke whose five-year tenure as REC ends this today, however called for the collaboration of stakeholders including media practitioners in other to tackle the dilemma.
He also urged media practitioners to ensure non interference in election processes.
“I appeal to all Security Agencies and Political Ciass to continue to join hands with the Commission to tackle this menace.
“I also appeal to the Media to be factual, objective and professional in reporing the coming general elections in the State. Jourmalists covering election must on no account interfere with the processes or procedures of voting or in any way distract any elections officials in the performance of their duties. You must on no account attempt to know or report on the way someone has voted. The secrecy of the ballot is at the heart of the democratic processes.” He added.
Speaking further on the security of votes at the oncoming 2023 General Election, the REC said, “so, if we conduct an election in a place and the hoodlums hijacked it, that will not affect the sanctity of the election because the result has been uploaded on the INEC website”.
“Even before we get to the collation centre, the election result is already on the website. So, any hoodlum or thug who want to disrupt the election is wasting his time”.
Meanwhile, the presidential and national assembly elections have been slated for February 25, 2023 while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on March 11, 2023.
