KDI Raises Alarm Over Systemic Vote Trading in Edo Governorship Election

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Kimpact Development Initiatives (KDI), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and election observer has expressed concern over the continued evolution of vote trading strategies by the political class in Nigeria.

According to KDI, this practice has become more systemic, moving away from open transactions to more concealed methods during elections.

In a preliminary statement on the Edo State off-cycle governorship elections, KDI reported incidents of open vote trading, with sums ranging from N1,000 to N10,000 being exchanged for votes. 

The statement was delivered by the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Chris Isiguzor.

"Voters were observed entering shops that seemed to be conducting regular business, but the high number of visitors suggested otherwise," the NGO noted, hinting at concealed vote-buying practices.

The statement aimed to inform the public and stakeholders about KDI's findings regarding election-day processes, electoral violence, and the risk of violence during the 2024 Edo off-cycle governorship elections.

"Our observers also witnessed cases where party agents and voters engaged in electronic money transfers, further highlighting the ongoing prevalence of vote buying during the election," the report stated. 

KDI stressed the urgent need for stronger measures to combat vote buying and preserve the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process.

In certain areas, such as Ikpoba Okha and Egor, the military and Department of State Services (DSS) were reportedly brought in to investigate allegations of vote buying. 

KDI emphasized that ensuring citizens can freely and fairly exercise their voting rights is crucial to upholding the integrity of the democratic process.

The CSO also called on security agencies to maintain professionalism as the election progresses into the vote-sorting and counting phases, urging them to perform their duties without fear or favor. 

KDI acknowledged the relative adequacy of the policing structure during the election and noted that, so far, there has been no widespread breakdown of law and order, with the process remaining largely peaceful in its early hours.

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