Osun Electoral Chief Vows to Curb Voter Inducement, Make It Tough for Those Engaging in Vote Trade

Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the new INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, has stated that the commission will hinder the ability of vote merchants to buy and sell votes during the August 15 governorship poll in the state.

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The commission has registered 381, 817 new voters, and is currently displaying the list of registered voters across wards to allow those registered to review and report any discrepancies.

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During a meeting with newsmen at the Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo on Tuesday, Mrs Babalola revealed that the commission is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences to identify areas where election merchandise is prevalent and take steps to prevent it.

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According to Mrs Babalola, the commission's role is to educate voters, and the media is assisting in this effort, while also emphasizing that political parties must play a part in ensuring that individuals vote according to their conscience, without the need for financial incentives.

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Mrs Babalola emphasized that voting is an offense that does not require payment, as clearly stated by the law, and that both the buyer and seller will face penalties, highlighting the importance of educating the electorate to not compromise their future for financial gain.

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She noted that when voters sell their votes, they relinquish their ability to hold leaders accountable, and therefore the commission will continue to work towards educating the public and preventing vote buying.

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The ICPC, as a member of the inter-agency on election management, is actively working to curb vote merchandise, gathering intelligence and taking measures to reduce vote buying, and encouraging voters not to sell their votes.

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Mrs Babalola warned that there are sanctions in place for vote buying and selling, and encouraged the public to be aware of these consequences and to refrain from engaging in such activities.