The Case Tracking and Response Centre (CTRC), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prioritise the elderly, Persons With Disabilities, pregnant women and nursing mothers in the planning of future elections.
The centre, coordinated by the Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), monitored the conduct of Governorship Election in Ekiti through its network of community observers deployed across the sixteen (16) Local Government Areas of the State.
It stated this in its Post-Election statement signed by the BIGIF Executive Director, Dr. Oluwatumininu Adedeji, and issued to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.
The statement urged INEC to conduct a comprehensive post-election audit of BVAS performance and improve technology readiness for future elections as technology development has become an integral part of our electoral reform.
This, it noted remains a commendable approach to achieve inclusion in our electoral processes.
“We urge INEC, and relevant law enforcement agencies to strengthen coordination in the investigation and prosecution of vote trading offences under the 2026 Electoral Act, as consistent enforcement is essential to safeguarding the credibility of future elections.
The centre noted that the governorship election was generally peaceful with impressive voter turnout among women, elderly persons, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), while pregnant women and nursing mothers were given priority during accreditation and voting in most locations observed.
“These positive practices demonstrate encouraging progress toward inclusive electoral participation and should be sustained future elections.
“Security personnel were present and maintained law and order throughout the election, while cases of vote trading across several polling units reportedly in close proximity to polling units and in the presence of security personnel.
“This raises important concerns regarding the effectiveness of existing strategies for responding to vote trading by the concerned authorities, INEC, security agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (CPC).
“All the relevant institutions should strengthen inter-agency collaboration before future elections by developing clear operational protocols for preventing, detecting, investigating and prosecuting vote trading.
“Such measures are essential to deter electoral offences, improve accountability, and enhance public confidence in the integrity of future elections.
The centre is a product of the Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP) campaign which recognises the link between gender-based electoral violence and the low level of participation of women in politics and aims to enhance women’s active participation in politics and electoral processes by mitigating violence against women in politics.
The Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (Stop-VAWIP) campaign was implemented in the Ekiti 2018 and 2022 governorship elections and the campaign and other similar campaigns Implemented by BIGIF has continued to lead and coordinate efforts to advance women political participation and leadership.
