Ekiti Election: We give You Seven Days to Prosecute Vote-buyers – SERAP

Socio-Economic and Accountability Rights Project, SERAP, has given the electoral commission seven days to prosecute vote-buyers or face legal action.

 

Newsonline reports that the Socio-Economic and Accountability Rights Project in its letter to INEC Chairman said all arrested during the Ekiti State gubernatorial election for vote-buying should be made to face the law.

 

SERAP in its letter directed to the Independent Electoral Commission chairman, Yakubu Mahmood argued that Nigerians deserve elections not tainted by corruption and initimdation.

 

The human rights advocacy group stated that with the electoral crime committed in Ekiti State election on Saturday, the arrested vote-buyers should face the law to serve as deterrent in the coming 2023 general election.

 

SERAP stated, “We’ve given INEC seven days to prosecute vote-buyers or face legal action.

 

“Nigerians deserve elections not tainted by corruption and intimidation in February 2023.”

 

Newsonline had reported that Saturday Ekiti State election was marred with vote-buying by the different contesting parties.

 

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested vote-buyers who were suspected to be party agents of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, and opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

 

READ ALSO:EkitiDecides2022: EFCC Arrests Party Agents For Vote-buying

 

Newsonline also reported that the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Segun Oni, alleged that some residents were being paid to vote for some political parties.

 

Oni said, “Some of my agents are worried about the fact that they alleged that there is vote-buying in Ado-Ekiti, Oye, and other locations across the state.”

 

Also, Kemi Elebute-Halle, the candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, alleged that other political parties are inducing voters with money.

 

Kemi alleged that the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Social Democratic Party, SDP were buying votes with N10,000; N5,000, and N3,000 respectively.