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The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR) has disclosed that vote trading was observed in the 2024 governorship election in Edo State, adding that price of votes ranged from N5,000 to N10,000 per voter in several locations.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NCSSR made this disclosure in its interim report on the ongoing governorship election while also revealing that in some cases, voters were induced with food items, such as bread and “Gala”.
“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel. The price of votes ranged from N5,000 to N10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs. In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread and “Gala”,” the report reads.
NCSSR, meanwhile, acknowledged that an arrest was made of some alleged vote traders at George Idah Primary School, Ward 2 in Oredo local government area and that the vote trading occurred in the watchful eyes security personnel.
“Our observers reported that security personnel were present and on time in 92% of the polling units visited. The security agents’ conduct has been largely professional and without any reported incidents of intimidation.
“However, despite their presence, our observers noted widespread instances of vote buying, carried out openly in many voting locations. We, however, acknowledge the arrest of the alleged two vote traders in George dah primary school, Ward 2, Oredo LGA,” the report added.