The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on media practitioners in Osun State to place the fight against vote buying at the center of their election coverage ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, urging journalists to produce investigative reports capable of supporting the prosecution of offenders.
INEC said detailed documentation of incidents, including identities of suspects, locations, amounts exchanged, and the methods employed, would strengthen ongoing efforts to curb the growing menace and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
The appeal was made by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, during a one-day Media Stakeholders’ Forum held in Osogbo on Tuesday.
The keynote address was delivered on his behalf by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Haruna described vote buying as the most disturbing feature of the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, alleging that political actors and their agents openly induced voters with cash and, in some instances, used numbered vouchers redeemable outside polling units to avoid detection.
He reminded participants that Section 22 of the Electoral Act of 2026 prescribes a fine of not less than ₦5 million, a prison term of up to two years, or both for anyone convicted of vote trading. Convicted offenders also face a 10-year ban from contesting public office.
The National Commissioner urged editors to dedicate resources to investigating vote buying before, during, and after the election, while encouraging reporters to capture critical details such as the identities of those involved, locations, amounts exchanged, and the methods used to coordinate the illegal practice.
According to him, such evidence would strengthen enforcement efforts involving INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Haruna also disclosed that the commission had concluded major preparations for the Osun governorship election, including the clearance of candidates from 14 political parties and the registration of 381,817 new voters during the continuous voter registration exercise.
He said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be deployed across all 30 local government areas of the state to enhance transparency and credibility.
Drawing from the recent Ekiti governorship election, Haruna noted that BVAS recorded a 96 per cent functionality rate, while IReV achieved a 98 per cent result upload completion rate.
He also expressed concern over declining voter turnout nationwide, noting that fewer than four out of every 10 registered voters participated in the Ekiti poll.
The INEC commissioner urged media organisations to intensify voter education campaigns, encourage greater participation in the electoral process, and continue sensitising the public on the dangers of vote buying and the importance of verifying election results through the IReV portal.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
