Ekiti 2026: Observers Praise BVAS, Warn About Vote-Buying

The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub has praised the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the 2026 Ekiti gubernatorial election. But they also raised serious worries about electoral malpractice.

In a preliminary statement from Ado-Ekiti, the observer coalition, which includes the Kukah Centre, TAF Africa, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Yiaga Africa, the International Press Centre (IPC), and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), said the election process was generally efficient. Still, it faced some integrity issues.

BVAS Performance and Election Logistics

The observers reported that the use of technology was a big success. The BVAS had a 96 per cent functionality rate in the polling units they monitored.

• Process Efficiency: Data from 246 out of 250 sampled units showed that election officials and materials arrived early. Voting started by 8:30 a.m. in 69 per cent of the observed locations.
• Inclusive Participation: The observers noticed strong involvement from women, who worked as polling officials and party agents. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) also participated actively, facing few accessibility challenges.

Concerns: Vote-Buying and Irregularities

Despite the success with technology, the hub pointed out several troubling incidents that could harm the credibility of the #EkitiDecides2026 election.

• Malpractice: Observers reported organized vote-buying and voter intimidation in nine Local Government Areas (LGAs).
• Security Issues: Although the overall security situation was peaceful, there were 24 reported violent incidents in 10 LGAs.
• Ballot Irregularities: The hub found differences in election materials. They noted issues with the political party listings on ballot papers compared to the result sheets.
• Media Restrictions: While the environment was generally good for journalism, some media personnel faced restricted access in parts of Ikere, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti West, and Ikole LGAs.

The observer coalition called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly follow result management guidelines.

Their main advice includes:

Prompt Transparency: Ensure quick and accurate uploading of all polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Equipment Integrity: Replace any faulty BVAS units immediately to prevent disenfranchisement of voters.

Shared Responsibility: Security agencies, political parties, and voters are urged to act responsibly to protect the integrity and peaceful outcome of the election process.