The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations of widespread vote-buying during Saturday’s Anambra State governorship election, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and unsupported by evidence.
Naijaonpoint reports that the accusations were made separately by the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate (APGA), Chukwuma Soludo, the Labour Party candidate (LP), George Moghalu, and the African Action Congress (ACC) candidate, Chioma Ifemeludike.
They alleged that some voters sold their ballots for between ₦3,000 and ₦5,000 in Nnewi South and other locations.
The purported inducement was said to have been coordinated by unidentified agents operating around various polling centres.
‘Bring Proof, Not Rumour’ – INEC REC
Reacting to the allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s News at 10, the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Agwu, said the commission had not received any verified report confirming such incidents.
“Vote-buying is a serious electoral offence. If anyone has credible information, they should provide facts and figures. You cannot go on national television to make allegations without substantiating them,” Agwu said.
She added that INEC monitored the entire exercise through its situation room and received no report of confirmed inducement, either from officials or accredited observers.
“From the situation room, there was no report of material delays and no confirmed case of vote-buying. None of our officials or accredited observers reported such incidents. So, to me, it remains a rumour, and rumours do not stand without proof,” she stated.
Agwu acknowledged that there were pockets of tension and pressure in a few areas but maintained that the election was generally smooth.
On voter turnout, she said it would be premature to make a conclusive assessment until figures from the polling units were fully collated.
“We will determine turnout based on the figures collated. But from what we observed earlier in the day, there was significant participation,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed the arrest of three suspects for alleged vote-buying during the election.
The suspects, Emeka Ilokasia (Njikoka LGA), Nwachukwu Loretta (Oyi LGA), and Emuka Chuwudi (Dunukofia LGA), were apprehended across different locations.
The EFCC said the individuals would face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
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