Yiaga Africa Verifies Ekiti Governorship Poll Results, Calls for Electoral Reforms

By Pan Afric Reporters

Observer group says its independent verification confirms APC’s overwhelming victory, urges INEC to address PVC, voter turnout inconsistencies ahead of future elections

Yiaga Africa has affirmed the credibility of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election, stating that its independent Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) confirmed the official outcome announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while urging key electoral stakeholders to address identified procedural gaps before future elections.

The position was contained in the Process and Results Verification Statement on the 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election, presented by Yiaga Africa on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the AB Event Centre in Ado Ekiti.

Presenting the findings, Yiaga Africa said its Watching The Vote mission deployed observers across sampled polling units in Ekiti State to independently monitor accreditation, voting, counting and results management processes.

According to the organisation, its statistical analysis was based on reports received from 249 out of 250 sampled polling units, representing 99 per cent of the sample, and confirmed the credibility of the election results.

The group projected that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would secure between 83.9 and 87.1 per cent of the valid votes cast, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was projected to receive between 8.5 and 11.7 per cent.

It also projected that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would obtain between 2.9 and 4.1 per cent, while the Accord Party was expected to receive between 0.0 and 0.2 per cent of the votes.

“Based on reports from 99 per cent, representing 249 out of 250 sampled polling units, Yiaga Africa’s statistical analysis projects that the APC is expected to receive between 83.9 per cent and 87.1 per cent of the votes cast,” the organisation stated.

Election process largely credible

Yiaga Africa observed that election materials, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), were deployed to all polling units visited, with the technology functioning effectively in 87 per cent of locations observed.

The group noted that although 13 per cent of polling units experienced temporary BVAS malfunctions, the issues were eventually resolved.

It also reported that in 98 per cent of polling units, the BVAS correctly displayed zero accredited voters before accreditation commenced, indicating compliance with electoral procedures.

However, Yiaga Africa disclosed that about 10 per cent of polling units recorded cases where eligible voters could not be accredited because the BVAS failed to verify their Permanent Voter Cards, fingerprints or facial biometrics.

The report further revealed that accreditation and voting had commenced by 8:30 a.m. in only 24 per cent of polling units observed.

Irregularities recorded

Despite describing the election as largely credible, Yiaga Africa identified several operational challenges requiring attention.

According to the report, 14 per cent of polling units accredited voters using printed slips containing voter information instead of requiring physical Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The organisation also observed that ballot secrecy was compromised in some locations, noting that 17 per cent of polling units allowed situations where other persons could see how voters marked their ballot papers.

In addition, voters crowded around election officials during voting in 11 per cent of polling units observed.

Counting and result management praised

Yiaga Africa commended election officials for adhering to result management procedures during vote counting.

It reported that polling officials displayed each ballot paper during counting in 98 per cent of polling units, while official results were publicly pasted in 89 per cent of locations observed.

The organisation also disclosed that 88 per cent of presiding officers successfully scanned and uploaded Form EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) using the BVAS, while 90 per cent transferred validated results electronically through the EC8A platform.

Calls for reforms

Yiaga Africa urged INEC to clarify inconsistencies relating to voter turnout calculations and the total number of registered voters used during elections.

It also called on the electoral commission to strengthen quality assurance in the production and distribution of downloadable PVCs and related election documents.

“Yiaga Africa urges the Independent National Electoral Commission to clarify inconsistencies in the calculation of voter turnout and take the necessary steps to address such inconsistencies in future elections,” the statement said.

The organisation further recommended improved coordination in implementing the Electoral Act and INEC Regulations, particularly regarding election-day procedures and the use of downloadable PVCs.

It also called on security agencies to sustain proactive efforts against vote-buying, voter intimidation and other electoral offences, especially around polling units.

Yiaga Africa advised political parties to intensify voter education and ensure that party agents are properly trained on electoral laws and guidelines.

The organisation further stressed the need to regulate the use of incumbency powers and state resources during elections to guarantee a level playing field for all contestants and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Yiaga Africa said it would release a comprehensive post-election report containing more detailed findings and additional recommendations for stakeholders in due course.