The arrival of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials at Ward 5, Eguare Primary School in Irrua, Esan Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, on Saturday, put a stop to ongoing vote-buying activities during the 2024 gubernatorial elections.
Earlier in the day, a brief rainfall delayed the arrival of election materials at the polling station, but accreditation of voters commenced around 8:30 a.m. Voting soon followed at approximately 10:02 a.m. The ward, located in the Edo Central Senatorial District, consists of five LGAs: Esan South-East, Igueben, Esan North East, Esan West, and Esan Central, which are home to candidates from both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As voting progressed, observers noticed that various political party officials were actively trying to sway voters to support their candidates. The large turnout of both young and elderly voters at the polling station, which has six voting units, provided fertile ground for vote-buying. Reports indicate that the practice was becoming widespread, with political agents attempting to distribute money to voters in exchange for their support.
However, this activity came to an abrupt halt at around 12:05 p.m. when EFCC officials arrived at the scene. Upon spotting the anti-corruption agency’s presence, the political agents immediately ceased distributing money. The EFCC officers patrolled the area for approximately 30 minutes, during which the vote-buying schemes were momentarily suspended. No arrests were made, as both party officials and voters maintained a calm demeanor once they noticed the EFCC personnel, avoiding any behavior that would warrant detention.
Although the brief disruption caused by the EFCC’s visit brought an end to the illegal activity, the voting process itself continued smoothly. The Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines functioned without any technical difficulties, ensuring a quick and orderly procedure for voters at the polling units. Additionally, security measures, including the restriction of movement, were strictly enforced by law enforcement officers. Only voters with proper identification cards were allowed access to the polling units, contributing to a peaceful election environment.
