As the bye-election continues in the Basawa Constituency of Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, allegations of large...
As the bye-election continues in the Basawa Constituency of Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, allegations of large-scale vote buying have cast a shadow over the credibility of the electoral process.
Reports from multiple polling units indicate that voters were allegedly offered monetary inducements ranging between ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 in exchange for their votes.
Several female voters who spoke with our correspondent admitted to receiving ₦5,000 to vote for a particular political party. They explained that they chose to accept the offer, citing a belief that the outcome of the election had already been predetermined.
Independent election observers corroborated the reports, stating that vote trading was observed in several locations, with some voters allegedly receiving up to ₦10,000.
In a related incident, a young voter claimed he was promised financial compensation after casting his ballot, but as of the time of filing this report, the promised funds had not been delivered.
The emerging allegations have raised serious concerns about electoral malpractice and the integrity of the democratic process in the constituency. Stakeholders have called on relevant authorities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, to investigate the claims and ensure accountability.
No comments