Osun poll: Vote-buying allegations outpace other election-day concerns — CJID

Voter inducement emerged as the most widespread integrity concern during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, with reports or allegations recorded in 14 of the 25 local government areas monitored by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The organisation said the reports, which represented 56 percent of the 25 LGAs covered in its late-afternoon assessment, varied in form and level of verification and should not be treated as confirmed cases of vote-buying across all the affected areas.

CJID, through its Election Analysis Centre, monitored the election using a network of reporters, observers, analysts, researchers, fact-checkers and media practitioners.

The election was conducted across 30 LGAs, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units, with 2,339,233 registered voters. Of this number, 1,906,390, representing 81.5 percent, collected their Permanent Voter Cards.

According to the organisation, allegations of voter inducement were followed by technological challenges, intimidation and security incidents as major concerns during voting.

It said 11 of the 25 LGAs monitored reported difficulties involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), connectivity or delays, while six LGAs recorded intimidation or interference involving observers, voters or party agents. Five LGAs reported security-related incidents or tensions.

BVAS delays, but no systemic failure

CJID said BVAS generally functioned during the election, although technical problems were recorded in several locations.

The challenges included facial…