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  • News - South South - Edo
  • Updated: September 01, 2020

Edo Elections: Politicians Are Giving Voters Money, Purchasing Voter Cards - YIAGA

Edo Elections: Politicians Are Giving Voters Money, Purchasi

The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth, and Advancement (YIAGA), says there is a purchase of voters cards in Edo State ahead of the upcoming election in the state, and politicians are giving cash and gifts to voters.

The civil organisation group noted that it envisages violence in the upcoming elections scheduled to hold on 19 September.

It stated that in reports from its "LTOs (Long Term Observers)", there is a high probability of violence that could turn voters away from the polls.

The report also stated that there has been a handing-out of "money or gift items by politicians and their supporters" as observed in all LGAs except for four LGAs in the state.

It said, “Reports from our LTOs (Long Term Observers) suggest that the spate of violence and insecurity in the pre-election period may discourage voters from turning up to vote on election day.

READ ALSO: Governorship Elections: IGP Raises Alarm Over The Influx of Armed Thugs In Ondo And Edo

“WTV (Watching the Vote) LTOs reported the distribution of money or gift items by politicians and their supporters in all the LGAs except Uhunmwode, Akoko Edo, Etsako West, and Etsako East LGAs, while buying PVCs was recorded in Esan Central, Oredo, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba/Okha, and Igueben LGAs.

“The competition has been reduced to a contest between personalities as opposed to issue-based campaigns. The WTV long term observers reported incidences of violent verbal and physical attacks, identity-based violence, and hate-speech rhetoric as campaign strategies employed by both parties for campaigns.

“The observers also reported the repositioning of cult groups as political merchandise for the election in some LGAs. While INEC activities for the election have commenced in earnest in some LGAs, observers reported that INEC is conducting very little voter education, especially on the new Voter’s Code of Conduct for Elections during COVID-19. In addition, observers reported sexual and gender-based violence in some of the LGAs in the state.

“The state is also witnessing a surge in cult groups’ activities, especially in Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, Orhionmwon, and Owan West LGAs. This is mainly attributable to an entrenched subculture of violence built around well-known strongmen, thugs, touts, gangsters, and cultists on the one hand, and the widespread belief that elections cannot be won – or smooth governance guaranteed – without strong-arm tactics and the support of powerful thugs.

“The situation is direr because of the proliferation of small arms and other weapons, which is evident in the free use of firearms at campaign venues.”

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