Ekiti Poll: Yiaga Africa Flags Discrepancies In Ballot Papers, Result Sheets | Daily Report Nigeria
BySodiq OlaitanJune 20, 20263 min read• Observer group identifies inconsistencies between ballot papers, result sheets and INEC’s candidate list• Ballot papers reportedly contain 19 parties, while result. . .
BySodiq OlaitanJune 20, 20263 min read• Observer group identifies inconsistencies between ballot papers, result sheets and INEC’s candidate list• Ballot papers reportedly contain 19 parties, while result sheets provide for 15 and INEC list shows 14 candidates• Yiaga urges INEC to clarify discrepancies and guide electoral officials on implementationYiaga Africa has expressed concern over discrepancies in election materials deployed for the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election, warning that the inconsistencies could affect the credibility and smooth conduct of the electoral process. The election observation group disclosed this in a preliminary assessment released on Saturday, noting differences between ballot papers, polling unit result sheets and the final list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). ATTENTION:Click“HERE”to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly onyour WhatsApp!According to Yiaga Africa, 96 per cent of its observers stationed across 250 randomly selected polling units had arrived at their assigned locations as of 8:30 a. m. to monitor the exercise. READ ALSO:Ekiti Poll: Afuye Predicts Landslide Victory for Oyebanji After Casting VoteThe group said its findings revealed that Form EC8A result sheets contained spaces for 15 political parties, while ballot papers being used for the election featured 19 parties. However, INEC’s updated final list of candidates, published on June 18, indicated that only 14 political parties were participating in the poll. Yiaga Africa attributed the discrepancies to changes arising from court rulings and administrative adjustments made after INEC initially released a list of 12 candidates earlier in the year. The organisation observed that some of the updates may not have been fully reflected across all election materials, potentially leaving voters and election officials uncertain about the correct party listings. It warned that the inconsistencies could create challenges during voting, vote counting and result collation, particularly where result sheets contain parties that do not appear on ballot papers. The group noted that presiding officers may be compelled to record zero votes for parties that voters never had the opportunity to select, a situation it said could generate confusion and raise questions during the collation process. Yiaga Africa therefore called on INEC to urgently provide clarification on the final list of participating political parties and candidates, while also explaining the reasons behind the discrepancies. The observer group further urged the electoral commission to issue clear directives to presiding officers and collation officials on how to manage the inconsistencies in line with electoral laws and relevant court judgments. The Ekiti governorship election is currently underway across the state’s 16 local government areas, with voters electing a governor for the next four-year term. For publication of Press Releases, Statements, and Advert Inquiries, send an email to[email protected]