Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on Saturday deployed to the polling unit of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, as authorities intensified efforts to curb vote-buying and other electoral offences during the ongoing governorship election in the state.
The anti-graft officials arrived at Polling Unit 003, Okelele, Ward 06, Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government Area, at about 9:05 a.m., shortly after voting commenced at the centre around 8:30 a.m.
Eyewitnesses observed approximately 10 EFCC operatives monitoring activities within and around the polling unit, while also interacting with security personnel deployed to the area.
Although the officials did not immediately disclose the specific reason for their presence, the deployment comes amid heightened concerns over alleged voter inducement and other electoral malpractices during the election.
Earlier reports indicated that voting commenced peacefully at Governor Oyebanji’s polling unit, where only an agent of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was initially observed despite the participation of several political parties in the contest.
The polling unit has a total of 668 registered voters.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no reports of arrests or disruptions to the voting process, with electoral activities continuing under the watch of security agencies and election monitors.
The presence of EFCC operatives follows repeated warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations against vote-buying and other forms of electoral misconduct.
The Ekiti governorship election is taking place across the state’s 16 local government areas, with Governor Oyebanji seeking a second term in office against candidates from various opposition parties.
The deployment also reflects ongoing efforts by electoral stakeholders to strengthen the integrity of the voting process and ensure compliance with electoral laws as residents cast their ballots to choose the state’s next governor.
