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The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday warned prospective voters to avoid going to polling booths with large sums of money during the forthcoming general elections.
It said the warning had become necessary because security agencies and the electoral body had resolved to end vote-buying.
Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, gave the warning while speaking at a seminar tagged “Mitigating violence against women in the electoral process” in Osogbo, the state capital.
Agbaje, who was represented by INEC’s Head, Political Parties and Monitoring, Mrs Folake Agboola, said anyone caught with huge sums of money at polling booths would be investigated.
He added that use of mobile phones would not be allowed within the polling area.
On the commission’s preparedness for the elections, Agbaje said, “We are fully prepared for hitch-free polls.
“No one should buy or sell votes. Use of mobile phones will not be allowed within the polling area.
“Don’t be intimidated, come out and vote. We need you women to assist us in talking to your colleagues. No one should engage in violence before, during or after the polls.”
In her goodwill address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Lara Ajayi, admonished women to turn out in large number and vote for their preferred candidates.
She assured them that the state government would continue to accord priority to issues that aftected women and children in recognition of critical positions they occupied.
[Punch]
