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Yiaga Africa has alleged discrepancies between the ballot papers, result sheets, and the list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing governorship elections in Ekiti State. In a statement signed by Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Chair, 2026 Ekiti Election Observation Mission Yiaga Africa, and Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, the duo drew attention specifically to the Form EC8A polling unit result sheets, which provided spaces for 15 political parties, as against 19 parties carried by the ballot papers in circulation. The discrepancies might create confusion during voting and collation. Where result sheets include parties that are not on the ballot, presiding officers may record zero votes for parties that voters did not see. Conversely, where voters cast ballots for parties not reflected on the result sheet, such actions could create uncertainty in recording, reconciliation, and collation.

Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Chair of Yiaga Africa's Ekiti Election Observation Mission, is a Nigerian electoral expert and lawyer, with extensive experience in monitoring electoral processes across the country. She has been a vocal advocate for electoral reform and has worked with various civil society organizations to promote electoral integrity.

Yiaga Africa is observing the Ekiti State governorship election, as part of its efforts to promote electoral transparency and accountability.

The public may not have fully received information about the late administrative changes that altered party and candidate participation. Some of those changes do not appear to have been fully and consistently reflected across all election materials.

The inconsistencies raised by Yiaga Africa are a concern, as they could affect the outcome of the election. The group has called on INEC to publicly clarify the final list of parties and candidates, explaining any differences between the ballot papers, result sheets, and earlier announcements.

What's Next?

INEC has yet to respond to Yiaga Africa's allegations. However, the electoral commission has assured citizens that it will provide clear instructions to presiding and collation officers on completing result sheets consistently with the law and relevant court judgments.

The Ekiti State governorship election is seen as a crucial test of INEC's preparedness for future electoral contests. With concerns over electoral integrity still lingering, the outcome of this election will be closely watched by Nigerians and international observers alike.

Yiaga Africa is urging the electoral commission to take immediate action to address the inconsistencies and ensure the integrity of the election process.

The group has called on INEC to issue clear written instructions to presiding and collation officers on completing result sheets consistently with the law and relevant court judgments, including how to treat parties on the result sheet but not on the ballot, and vice versa.

Yiaga Africa has been observing elections across Nigeria, with the goal of promoting electoral integrity and transparency.

Key Facts

  • Form EC8A polling unit result sheets provided spaces for 15 political parties, as against 19 parties carried by the ballot papers in circulation
  • Yiaga Africa observed the election in 250 randomly sampled polling units
  • 96% of the observers were at the polling unit to observe the election
  • The discrepancies raised by Yiaga Africa could affect the outcome of the election
  • INEC has yet to respond to Yiaga Africa's allegations

The Ekiti State governorship election is a crucial test of INEC's preparedness for future electoral contests. With concerns over electoral integrity still lingering, the outcome of this election will be closely watched by Nigerians and international observers alike.