Osun 2018: INEC Threathens To Deal With Vote Buyers, Sellers As NGOs Sensitise Women On Vote Education

By Grace Isaac

As governorship election draws nearer in Osun state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sounded a notice of warning to all political parties in the state to desist from any act capable of causing crisis befor, during and after the election.

The commission also threatened to deal decisively with anybody caught in the web of either buying or selling of votes in the September 22nd governorship election in Osun State.

Addressing participants in Osogbo yesterday at a consultative meeting with stakeholders organize by Hope For Family Development Initiative (HFDI) with the support of National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje said measures are in top gear to stem the trend of votes buying and selling that characterised the Ekiti state governorship election of recent.

The programme that was organised to sensitise women on voting with the theme “Promoting Women’s Participation in Osun Governorship Election ” was also supported by United States Agency for international development UAID and Ukaid

Agbaje disclosed that despite intensive sensitization and mobilization of electorate, no fewer than 548,000 Permanent Voters Cards are yet to be collected.

According to him, the door of the Commission is wide open to prospective electorate to come out and collect their PVC.

While expressing his delight at the conduct of peaceful primary election in the state, Agbaje said the Commission has concluded arrangements to ensure that all the participating political parties have hitch free and successful campaign .

He enjoined the vulnerable, especially, women to come out enmass to exercise their franchise for their preferred candidate with the assurance that their votes will count.

Earlier the Executive Director of (HFDI) Mr Aremu Stephen Akinyele, said the Hope For Family Development Initiative (HFDI) organised the program to sensitise, educate and mobilise women to participate in the upcoming election in the state.

He said the project which is slated for three months will be implemented majorly in 18 local government that have records of low participation of women in voting activities in the past..

In the same vein the National Democratic Institute Manager, Mr Ben Aga said the Sensitization was organized to educate women and stakeholders on the need for free and fair election.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Social Democratic Party in Osun State, Dr. Bayo Faforiji said his party will give priority consideration to women who have interest in elective posts