Ekiti: We’re concerned about vote buying – INEC

The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is concerned about the rampant buying of votes during elections such as witnessed in the recently concluded Ekiti governorship polls.
The commission stated this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna.
Premium Times reported cases of vote buying in the Ekiti election.
The two major parties in the election, APC and PDP, were culpable in it with videos showing how some of the money was shared.
Already, a civic group SERAP, has asked INEC to work with other relevant agencies and ensure those involved in the vote buying are identified and prosecuted.
In its statement yesterday, INEC said it “noted with deep concern, the rising phenomenon of vote buying during elections and restated its commitment and determination to continue to work with all stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to stem the ugly trend.” “On the upcoming Osun governorship election, the meeting unanimously agreed to further improve on the successes recorded in the Ekiti governorship election.
The meeting also reviewed the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Against the backdrop of the decision to suspend the exercise from 17th August 2018 until after the 2019 general elections, it was resolved that starting from Wednesday 1st of August 2018 the CVR exercise will take place between 9am and 5pm.
“There will also be registration on Saturdays and Sundays as well as public holidays (if any) within the period while the exercise will be suspended at 5pm on Friday 17th August until after the 2019 general elections,” the statement said.
The commission assured Nigerians of its commitment to ensuring free, fair and credible elections in 2019.