Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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Vote buying has been described as one of the cankerworms affecting Nigeria’s electioneering process.

The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje made this submission during an interactive session with veteran journalists in the state on Tuesday.

He said INEC alone cannot curb vote buying but with the help of the electorate, it can be reduced.

Agbaje said security personnel have also been sensitised to assist in curbing the menace.

While appealing to the sensitivity of Nigerians of vote buying, the INEC boss said “can an electorate who had collected money on election query a politician for not performing”.

Agbaje said it is saddening to see box snatching in this era noting that in developed countries, security personnel does not guard polling units.

The INEC boss said vote buying was reduced in the 2018 governorship election in the state.

He assured Nigerians that INEC is ready to conduct free and fair election in the country.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, Prof. Dayo Alao in his opening address said it is unfortunate that election has become a do-or-die affairs.

The VC said we should be thinking about the future where little money would be attached to political offices as this will become voluntary.

He said:” Nigeria today has the highest paid legislatives in the world. If legislatives are  earning peanuts, no one will pay a huge amount of money to buy forms.”

Alao advised INEC to be more independent and act for the love of the country and also urged them find ways to minimize issues of electoral malpractices.