Guber poll: We’ll make vote selling, buying difficult for merchants - Osun REC

In a decisive stance against electoral malpractice, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, has declared the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) unwavering commitment to making vote buying and selling a difficult endeavor for 'merchants' during the upcoming August 15 governorship poll. This firm declaration signals a new era of vigilance and proactive measures aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process in Osun.

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INEC does not sell and buy vote. The sellers and the buyers are not INEC.

Mrs. Babalola highlighted the significant expansion of the voter base, with 381,817 new voters registered. The ongoing display of these registered voters across wards is a crucial step, allowing citizens to verify their details and lodge any necessary complaints, ensuring accuracy and inclusivity. This transparency is fundamental to building public trust in the electoral system. Furthermore, INEC's strategic collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) demonstrates a multi-agency approach to tackling the persistent menace of vote merchandising.

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One of the things we do is voter education and the media is helping in that direction. The political parties also have a role to play to ensure that people vote their conscience, you don’t need money to vote.

Speaking to newsmen, the REC emphasized that INEC itself does not engage in the buying or selling of votes, placing the responsibility squarely on the 'sellers and buyers.' Through robust voter education initiatives, supported by the media and political parties, INEC aims to empower citizens to vote their conscience, rather than being swayed by monetary inducements. The message is clear: selling one's vote means mortgaging one's future and forfeiting the right to hold leaders accountable. The collaboration with ICPC, which is actively gathering intelligence, underscores the seriousness with which vote buying and selling are being treated. As Vanguard reports, this concerted effort aims to significantly reduce, if not eradicate, this practice, reminding electorates that sanctions await offenders.

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The laws has stated it clearly, you do not need money to vote, it’s an offense for the seller and buyer, we need to keep educating the electorate that they should mortgage their future because of money, when you sell your vote, you cannot hold your leaders accountable, so we keep working.