CSO Warns of Low Voter Turnout and Vote Buying Amid Rising Political Tension in Edo Elections

In the final countdown to Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, a civil society organisation – Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), on Friday predicted poor voter turnout, money-for-vote, and likely security challenges during the poll which is being fiercely contested. The KDI opined that turnout may not be less than 20 per cent of the permanent voter (PVC) cards collected.

Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, attended by the European Union Election Observation team, civil society organisations, and the media ahead of the governorship election, KDI said a lot of factors may likely determine the outcome of the election.

Head of Research and Strategy of the organisation, Oluwafemi John Adebayo, feared that the severe economic hardship being faced by Nigerians arising from inflation, amongst others, may have an impact on the outcome of the election.

Adebayo expressed worry that politicians may weaponise the people’s suffering to lure them with money, thereby subverting the will of the people.

According to him, “As you can see, inflation is high in the country, so what this means is that N2,000 will mean a lot to some people. Politicians may use this as an instrument. Vote buying does not make an election to reflect the will of the people. It subverts the will of the people. So, one thing we are saying is that, in tomorrow’s election, law enforcement agencies – the EFCC, ICPC, the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC – should put an eye to this regard”.

On the likely turn out of voters, Adebayo said: “We may not have a turnout that surpasses the last election in the state. But we are also thinking from our data and some of the analysis we have done, it won’t be lower than 20 per cent.

“But in all, we are saying the Edo people should come out and vote for the candidate of their choice. Election is a civil affair, so they should be part of those that will decide who will lead them. This is about their future”.

Speaking on their observation of security situation in the state, KDI’s head of research, reported a tense atmosphere. Adebayo noted that: “There have been issues of violence apparently in the state. The environment is tense. But ironically, non-electoral violence is even more than electoral violence, and it does have implications on the election.”

While appealing to the over 35 security personnel deployed to the state for the election to play by the rules by ensuring that election materials and electorate were secured, and not intimidated, Adebayo submitted that “The presence of security agencies is to help to secure the election and not to intimidate the voter”.