The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended a suspected vote-buyer in Akure during the ongoing Ondo governorship election. The individual was reportedly caught with two bags of money allegedly intended for voter inducement. The arrest took place at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, located outside St. Stephen’s Primary School, around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Reports suggest that vote-buying activities have been observed among major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At polling units in Irele Local Government Area, party agents were seen distributing signed papers to voters as tokens for post-election payments. Some voters confirmed receiving these papers, which are to be exchanged for cash after voting, although the exact payment amounts remained undisclosed.
In a related development, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the APC governorship candidate, participated in the election, casting his vote early at Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, in Ilaje Local Government Area. He completed the voting process at 8:48 a.m., accompanied by his security team.
Meanwhile, challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines were reported. At Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, in Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area, voters expressed concerns over the malfunctioning machines, which delayed the accreditation process. One voter, Omotayo Akinlami, advocated for the adoption of manual accreditation to ensure a smoother voting experience.
These incidents highlight the complexities and challenges surrounding the election process, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral system and the measures needed to address such issues effectively.
