Tunde Adeleke, Osogbo
The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) has recorded 323 cases of electoral offences and irregularities in 726 polling units observed across Osun State during its governorship election.
The hub, comprising the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), International Press Centre (IPC), Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre (TKC) and Yiaga Africa, also reported 38 security incidents as of 12 noon.
Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, on Saturday, the Executive Director, International Press Center, Lanre Arogundafe, said its 823 accredited observers were deployed across the 30 local government areas of the state to monitor the election.
He added that the reported electoral offences and irregularities included 103 cases of vote trading, 12 cases of multiple voting, 28 cases involving inducement of polling and security officials, 38 cases of campaigning at polling units and 14 cases of voter impersonation.
He said, “As at 12 noon, the Hub’s observers have recorded 38 security incidents with 25 reported cases of thuggery, 12 attacks on electoral officials and 9 cases of voter intimidation by security personnel.
“Furthermore, of the 726 polling units observed, there were reported 323 cases of electoral offences and irregularities including vote trading (103), multiple voting (12), inducement of polling and security officials (28), campaigning at PUs (38), voter impersonation (14), misconduct by election officials (7), obstruction of voters (31) and exposure of ballot papers (85).”
He added that, “the election environment has been generally conducive for journalists and observers, with no major incident reported as at the time of this report relating to impeded access to polling units.
“The hub’s fact checkers were able to detect and fact-check about eleven false claims relating to alleged payment of INEC officials, arrests by the police, underage voting, among others, as at the time of this report. The outcomes were all amplified, but other claims relating to shooting and disruption of voting are being fact-checked.”
