Yiaga Africa on Thursday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to intensify efforts to stop vote-buying ahead of and during Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement signed by Asmau Maikudi, chairman of Yiaga Africa’s Election Observation Mission, the group also called on the anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals suspected of engaging in vote-buying and other electoral offences.
“Yiaga Africa calls for better coordination with EFCC and ICPC in making arrests of political party leaders, agents and anyone attempting to buy votes before the election and on election day,” the statement said.
The election monitoring organisation also raised concerns about the increasing use of “incendiary rhetoric and hate speech from political actors” as the Osun governorship poll draws closer.
According to Yiaga Africa, inflammatory comments by political actors “could inflame tensions and undermine public confidence” in the electoral process.
The group further urged security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of personnel across polling units and other strategic locations in Osun State, stressing that such deployment should be guided “based on intelligence, coordination and strict impartiality”.
“Protect voters, election personnel, facilities and materials. Investigate and prosecute electoral violence, threats and hate speech without regard to political status or party affiliation,” the organisation said.
