Police Set for Mass Arrest Over Vote-Buying in Osun

Security agencies have vowed to declare war on vote-buying in Osun, during the Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The declaration is sequel to Ekiti where some residents were arrested over allegations of buying votes.
The police said a joint operation with other security agencies will be out to stop people from buying votes and allow people vote according to their conscience.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “The IG said it today (Tuesday) during the stakeholder forum (in Osogbo) that we are not going to take it lightly with anyone that engages in any electoral violence or malpractices including vote-buying, snatching of ballot papers or boxes, attacking electoral or INEC officials or observers, campaigning during the polls or wearing anything that has any particular logo or emblem during the polls.
“All these violate the provisions of the Electoral Act which is criminal. So we are going to go after those who violate the Electoral Act and the laws of the land. So, we are going to be serious about it but don’t forget that vote-buying is not something you do in the public. We can only go after those we see doing it.”
Spokeswoman of the Osun command, Yemisi Opalola also confirmed the readiness of the police to ensure that electoral exercise is not turned to a trading exercise.
She said, “She said, “We will not allow it to happen. We will do whatever is within our power to prevent it. Vote-buying and selling would not be allowed. We have emplaced a lot of security measures and strategies. We have been sensitising people against vote-buying because without a seller, there won’t be a buyer.
“We have been using every means to discourage people from engaging in it. On the day of the poll, we will ensure that vote-buying does not happen because the police will be posted everywhere and the operatives that would be on duty won’t allow vote-buying.”
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are expected to be present in the state as part of efforts to beef up operations against the act.
Vote buying has been identified as a major threat to democracy. Many international agencies have devoted time and resources to ending the scourge.