Ondo 2024: Political parties induced voters with litres of petrol, food, funds — JDPMC
…raises concern over vote-buying
Ahead of the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election billed for Saturday, the Justice, Development and Peace Makers Centre (JDPMC) has raised concern over inducement by political parties.
In a report signed by its General Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Peter Akinkunmi, and made available to the press on Friday, JDPMC revealed that it has been closely monitoring campaign activities by the competing political parties across Ondo State for over three months.
The report stated: “JDPMC observed that major political parties didn’t release campaign itineraries throughout June, only scanty campaign events were held by them from July 2024. Major features of some of such campaign events included the distribution of food items and the distribution of money for ward-to-ward mobilization of voters ahead of the election.Relat
“Since July, field trackers have been reporting evidence of voter inducements mostly through third parties who do so to rally support for various contestants. It includes the distribution of food, funds, and other material things including certain litres of Petrol at some filling stations. Details of our finding regarding the Campaign finance expenditure of the selected Political parties shall be released at the end of the election.”
Akinkunmi expressed concern that the trend of campaign events for the 2024 Ondo Gubernatorial elections indicated inducement by contesting parties.
“JDPMC perceives that given the situation, there is likely to be massive vote buying and voter inducement on Election Day,” he added.
