Vote buying: Observer lauds politicians, security in Surulere

An INEC Accredited Election Observers group, the Organisation of Justice for Equity Sustainance has commended politicians in Surulere Federal Constituency I for not engaging in vote-buying.

Our correspondent recalls that allegations of vote-buying and vote selling have always characterised elections in Nigeria.

Mr Tunde Bafunsho, the National Coordinator of the group, who led a team of observers from Abuja to monitor ongoing by-election in Surulere Federal Constituency I in Lagos State, lauded the politicians and security agents for adherence to the Electoral Act.

According to him, for the first time in many years, the menace of vote-buying and vote selling was not observed in the election.

“Accreditation and voting exercise commenced at exactly 8.30a.m. as scheduled with the utilisation of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine for accreditation and authentication of voters.

“For few years now, for the first time, there was no vote buying in this election.

“Everybody has conducted themselves in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.

“We hope that by the time the election will be rounded off, the standard will be sustained,” he said.

Bafunsho described the way and manner people conducted themselves as peaceful and credible, saying that adequate security network was also provided.

He described the performance of the security officers as excellent.

According to him, INEC has been able to ensure adequate provision of electoral materials as well as distribution of same to all Registration Area Centres (RACs) and polling units as early as 8.30 a.m.

Our correspondent reports that voting, sorting and counting of votes ended in all the 258 polling units spread across the six Registration Areas that make up the Surulere Federal Constituency I.

Collation of results is ongoing at the ward level before the final collation at the INEC Office in Surulere Local Government Area, where winner will be declared.

Twelve candidates of different political parties are contesting in the election.

The seat became vacant due to the resignation of the former occupant, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, who after winning, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as his Chief of Staff.