By Favour Aremu
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Hon. Gbadebo Aderinola, has said the introduction of voter cards has significantly reduced electoral fraud in Nigeria.
Aderinola made this known during a one-on-one interview with AMILOADED intern, Favour Aremu, in Ede on Monday.
The PDP Chieftain explained that elections in the past were often marred by electoral malpractices, including ballot box snatching, destruction of property, and manipulation of results.
He noted that in previous elections, votes were poorly counted and individuals could vote without proper identification, creating opportunities for fraud. He added that politicians also influenced voters by offering money and food items in exchange for votes.
According to him, the electoral process has improved in recent times, as voters are now required to present valid voter cards before voting, while votes are more transparently counted.
He further stated that although attempts at vote-buying still occur, voters are now more informed and increasingly willing to reject such practices in order to vote according to their choices.
Speaking on societal changes, the PDP chieftain said youth lifestyles have evolved over the years.
He recalled that in the past, young people actively engaged in traditional games such as ten-ten and boju boju, played football in open spaces, and participated more in community development activities.
Aderinola observed that many youths now spend more time on their mobile phones, accessing news and stories online rather than reading newspapers, which has reduced interpersonal and community interactions.
He maintained that modernisation has influenced both electoral processes and youth behaviour, bringing notable improvements alongside new challenges for society.
Favour Aremu is a Mass Communication student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. She is currently an intern with AMILOADED, where she is gaining hands-on experience in journalism and digital media.
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