The Ondo State governorship election has taken a contentious turn, with reports emerging of vote buying by major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Irele Local Government Area.
This development has cast a shadow over the electoral process, already marred by controversies and security concerns.
Signed papers were allegedly distributed to voters by party agents, serving as receipts for payment after casting their votes.
However, the exact amount to be paid remains unclear. These incidents were predominantly observed at polling unit 007 (PU007), Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area.
The election has also been plagued by technical issues, including malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines. Voters have expressed frustration, suggesting manual accreditation as a potential solution.
With 1,793,914 registered voters across 18 local governments, the outcome of this election holds significant implications for the state’s future. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared 17 political parties to contest the poll, intensifying competition.
