The Independent NationaI Electoral Commission, INEC says it will work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Currupt Practices and other other Related Offences Commission, ICPC during the June 18 Governorship election in Ekiti state to check vote buying.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu who announced this in Ado Ekiti while briefing Ekiti Council of Obas on the level of preparation by the electoral body for the election, said there would be no room for vote buying.
Professor Yakubu told the royal fathers that he was in Ekiti State to access the facilities on ground for the election, especially machines meant for Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS.
He stressed that necessary logistics had been put in place by the electoral body to conduct free, fair and credible Governorship election in Ekiti State.
Professor Yakubu intimated the Obas that two elections would be conducted in the state on June 18.
According to the INEC Chairman, apart from the Governorship poll, there would be election into the Ekiti East Constituency one of the state House of Assembly same day.
He made it clear that Ekiti State had about one million registered voters, while over seven hundred thousand permanent voter’s cards had been collected, with the hope that more people would still get their PVCs before the exercise.
Professor Mahmood also notified the monarchs that he would still be in Ekiti State before the election alongside the Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon when the sixteen politcal parties taking part in the exercise would be made to sign peace Accord.
The INEC Chairman who urged the monarchs to preach peace to their subjects, expressed happiness that the atmosphere in Ekiti State was calmed compared to the last election held in 2018.
In their brief remarks, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Ajibade Alabi and the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo pledged that they would continue to mobilize their subjects to vote and shun violence during the exercise.
AMOS OGUNRINDE
