A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Crownrise Development Initiative, has decried vote buying and selling in Nigeria, saying the occurrence has become a worrisome feature in every election in the country with political gladiators adopting different strategies to vote trading, AMILOADED reports.
According to the report which featured vote trading in the forthcoming Osun State gubernatorial election, the democracy adopted in Nigeria is believed to be that which is hinged on the will of majority, adding that the voices of people should be heard without any undue influences or manipulation during the time of election.
The report said the different intervention by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of recent has no tangible clear cut plan in ending the menace of vote trading with the power given to her.
It further was called on INEC to do more in prosecuting any offenders caught in the act of vote trading as this will help future election.
The report also highlighted various challenges of the causes of Vote buying, the major actor of vote buying and recommendations to follow towards putting an end to Vote trading.
However , 9 local government were identified as hot spot zone for Vote trading for the forthcoming 2022 election which are Ife North, Iwo, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ilesa East ,Oriade, Osogbo, Orolu.
Speaking at the presentation of the report, The Executive Director of Crownrise Development Initiative, Mr Adetunji Ajala, stressed the need for all election stakeholders, INEC , and other relevant bodies to work together to say “No to the ugly phenomenon of vote trading by creating awareness on the danger of citizen selling their vote and call out any one who is planning on buying people conscience.”
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