INEC Admits ‘Vote-Buying’ In Ekiti Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, admitted that indeed votes were openly bought by political parties during the just held Ekiti governorship election that saw Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge winner.

Dr Fayemi of the APC had defeated his major opponent and candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, in the poll.

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Speaking in a communiqué issued after the meeting of its Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja on Wednesday, the electoral body decried “with deep concern” increasing rate of vote-buying by politicians during elections.

“The Commission reviewed the conduct of the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State and preparations for the September 22, 2018 Osun governorship election.

“It noted the satisfactory conduct of the Ekiti governorship election as attested to by both domestic and international observers, the media and other stakeholders.

“The meeting also noted with deep concern, the rising phenomenon of vote-buying during elections and restated its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend,” INEC said in the statement signed by its National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.

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