BVAS earns praise, but electoral misconduct raises concerns in Ekiti

The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub has applauded the effectiveness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, while drawing attention to cases of vote buying, voter intimidation and inconsistencies in election materials.

The group, which comprises the Kukah Centre, TAF Africa, Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), disclosed its findings in a preliminary assessment released in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the observers, reports received from 246 of the 250 sampled polling units indicated that electoral officials and materials arrived on time in most locations. Voting had commenced by 8.30 a.m. in 69 per cent of the polling units monitored.

The hub stated that BVAS functioned effectively throughout the exercise, recording a 96 per cent success rate in the polling units observed. It described the technology’s performance as satisfactory and largely reliable.

Despite the positive assessment of the accreditation process, the observers identified irregularities involving election materials. These included inconsistencies between the number of political parties listed on ballot papers and those appearing on result sheets.

The report also highlighted the significant involvement of women in the election. Women participated as voters, party agents and polling officials. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were also said to have taken part actively, with few accessibility challenges recorded.

However, the observers noted a number of isolated issues. Some elderly voters experienced difficulties with biometric verification, while a nursing mother in Ifaki, located in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, was initially denied priority voting.

While describing the overall atmosphere as peaceful, the hub documented 24 incidents of violence across 10 local government areas. It also expressed concern over what it described as organised vote-buying operations and voter intimidation reported in nine LGAs.

The observers further commended the generally favourable environment for journalists covering the election. Nevertheless, they cited reports of restrictions on media access and movement in parts of Ikere, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti West and Ikole local government areas.