THE Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA, Samson Itodo has said that Kogi/Bayelsa Election will be determine by the highest bidder.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday which in Lokoja.
According to him, PVC goes to the highest bidder as Voter inducement continues, adding that trading of PVCs and voter details, and other forms of voter inducement through distribution of money still prevails.
“WTV findings specifically disclosed ongoing buying and selling of PVCs in Southern Ijaw and Ogbia in Bayelsa state and Okehi, Ankpa, and Idah in Kogi state and distribution of money or gift items in all the LGAs in Bayelsa except for Kolokuma/Sagbama,Ekeremor.
“In Kogi State, there were no reports of voter inducement in Okene, Ankpa, Dekina, Igalamela/Odolu, Ofu, Olamaboro, Omala, Ijamu, Mopa Moro and Yagba East LGA.
He noted the increase in the purchase of PVC and voter details calls for an immediate action from INEC to develop an oversight mechanism on election day to prevent manipulation of the voter accreditation process. In addition, INEC should in collaboration with the police commence arrest of politicians going about requesting for PVC and voter details.
“The need for INEC to intensify its voter education as the election get closer especially with respect to voting procedure and messages on INECs plan to ensure credible election to build citizens’ confidence in the process.
“INEC needs to ensure proper coordination with the security agencies to guarantee the security of polling officials and INEC staff especially the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to be deployed on election day.
“INEC needs to properly communicate its plans to ensure that voters in polling units affected by flood can vote. This should include information on where and how these voters in the affected polling units will vote.
In the area of security agencie YIAGA AFRICA, called for a peaceful election, stressing that there is an ardent need for better inter-agency collaboration and cooperation between both the security agencies towards the elections especially on election day in hot spots already identified in riverine areas in Bayelsa and LGAs identified in Kogi states.
“Security agencies working on the elections should ensure that all personnel deployed are properly trained.
“Political parties and candidates should focus on issue-based campaigns rather than the shameful act of purchasing PVCs and voters’ details.
“Political parties and candidates have a role to play in ensuring peaceful elections and should desist and refrain from recruiting thugs, militants, cultists, criminals, etc. to deploy violence.
“Political parties should promote issues-based campaigns and conduct voter education as part of their role in building our electoral democracy.
He also called on the citizens to guard their PVC and voter details because the PVC is the only identity card that guarantees their right to vote on election.
