By Ayodele Abere
The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub has reported largely peaceful voting and optimal performance of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines in Saturday’s June 20, 2026 Ekiti governorship election, but flagged isolated violence, vote buying and inconsistencies on ballot papers.
The Hub, comprising KUKA Center, TAF Africa, Nigeria Women Trust Fund, YIAGA Africa, International Press Centre, and Centre for Media and Society, deployed 598 observers across polling units in all 16 local government areas of Ekiti State under the European Union Support for Democratic Governance project.
This preliminary assessment, issued at 2:00 p.m., is based on reports from stationary and roving observers as of 12 noon. It should be read alongside the Hub’s pre-election assessment of May 25, 2026 and its pre-election statement of June 19, 2026. A post-election report will follow after collation and announcement of results.
Based on reports from 246 of 250 sampled polling units, INEC officials and materials arrived early in most locations. Polling officials were present and sensitive and non-sensitive materials, including BVAS machines, ballot papers, registers, cubicles and ink pads, were complete and adequate.
INEC officials were present in 75 percent of observed polling units by 7:30 a.m. Voting commenced on time, with 69 percent of polling units starting accreditation and voting by 8:30 a.m.
BVAS functionality was optimal, with 96 percent performance recorded in observed polling units. However, the Hub noted inconsistencies in ballot papers and result sheets. While INEC’s final list of candidates contains 14 names, Form EC8A result sheets provide spaces for 15 political parties, and 19 political parties appeared on the ballot papers.
Reports from about 100 observers deployed by the Nigeria Women Trust Fund’s Gender and Elections Watch indicated relatively high participation of women, who constitute 51 percent of the voting population. Women played significant roles as polling officials, party agents and voters, with 158 women, 58 percent, serving as polling unit officials and 87 as party agents.
Minor incidents were recorded: a nursing mother was initially denied priority voting at Polling Unit 6, Ward 11, Ifaki, Ido-Osi LGA; and BVAS had difficulty capturing biometrics of elderly voters in Iniwa Ward, Oye LGA and Ikere LGA.
Participation of Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, was significant with no major incidents of harassment. Accessibility measures were visible: 89.9 percent of polling units were physically accessible, 80.6 percent observed priority voting, and 71.4 percent provided assistive voting devices. Accessibility challenges were observed in parts of Ado-Ekiti.
The overall security situation was largely peaceful, with five to ten security personnel deployed to each of the 2,442 polling units across the state. Voting proceeded in most observed locations without large-scale violence or major operational failure.
However, the Hub said the credibility and integrity of the election were threatened by isolated cases of violence and well-organized vote-buying schemes. Twenty-four incidents of violence were reported across 10 LGAs: Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ado-Ekiti, Emure, Ido-Osi, Ilejemeje, Ijero, Ise/Orun, Gbonyin, Ikole and Oye.
Reports of vote buying and voter intimidation were received from nine LGAs, with 24 incidents recorded. Specific cases were reported mainly in Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ado-Ekiti LGAs, including attempts to compromise ballot secrecy.
The election environment was generally conducive for journalists, with confirmed reports of unimpeded access to polling units. The Hub noted significant efforts to combat misinformation relating to INEC administrative actions, candidate endorsements, party defections and voter inducement claims. Correct information was amplified on mainstream and social media.
However, in parts of Ikere, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti West and Ikole, security personnel restricted access and movement of journalists. In Ikere, party agents and security agents allegedly obstructed journalists from performing their duties.
The Hub recommended that INEC:
Fix or replace malfunctioning BVAS machines in affected polling units.
Grant extended voting hours to units that opened late or experienced BVAS malfunction to prevent disenfranchisement.
Allow voters on the queue at the official close of polls to vote, with priority for vulnerable groups.
Ensure strict compliance by presiding officers with Sections 39 and 40 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2026, on closing procedures and electronic transmission of results.
Ensure immediate pasting of Form EC60E at polling units and instantaneous, real-time uploading of validated results in Form EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV, after counting.
To security agencies, the Hub urged professionalism, neutrality and strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for security personnel on election duties. It called for increased vigilance to arrest persons engaging in vote buying and voter intimidation, and for security agents to accompany presiding officers to collation centres to ensure the safety of sensitive materials.
To political parties and candidates, the Hub advised them to desist from voter inducement and vote buying, restrain party agents from unruly conduct, admonish supporters to remain law-abiding, and respect the choice of Ekiti voters.
To voters, the Hub urged those yet to vote to exercise their franchise, reject financial inducements, vote freely without coercion, and protect ballot secrecy.
To the media and observers, the Hub advised verification of all information before publication to avoid misinformation and disinformation, and to await INEC’s official announcement of results at every level of collation before publishing results.
