EkitiDecides2026: Vote-buying overshadowed logistics improvement — Yiaga Africa
A leading independent monitoring group,Yiaga Africa, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) achieved a “marked and significant improvement” in election logistics for the 2026 Ekiti. . .
A leading independent monitoring group,Yiaga Africa, has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) achieved a “marked and significant improvement” in election logistics for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of the civil society organisation, noted a dramatic shift in efficiency compared to the state’s previous poll in 2022. He revealed that more than 68% of polling stations were open by 7:30 a. m. — a major leap from just 27% four years ago. By mid-morning, voting and accreditation were successfully underway in 99% of monitored units. However, the logistical success was overshadowed by “troubling” levels of vote-buying and scattered outbreaks of violence. Mr Itodo warned that the day’s high voter turnout could not yet be taken at face value. “We cannot say at this moment… whether this turnout that we see is either procured or is actually turnout based on the willful decision of voters,” he said, calling the widespread trading of cash for ballots a “missed opportunity” to clean up the electoral process. Yiaga Africa also verified localised violence in known hotspots, specifically naming the Ikole, Oye, and Ilejemeje local government areas. ALSO READ: Ekiti guber:Accord candidate casts vote, decries vote buyingMr Itodo urged electoral officials to “uphold the principle of transparency” to ensure the peaceful start to the day was not derailed during the final count. Meanwhile, INEC, in a post on its X handle, said voting officially ended in most polling units across Ekiti State following the close of polls at 2:30 p. m. The post revealed that earlier in the day, all 2,445 polling units were successfully opened for the governorship election. It said 2,257 polling units (92. 31%) opened on schedule before 8:30 a. m. , while 188 polling units (7. 69%) experienced minor delays but commenced voting before 10:30 a. m. The commission said the process remained peaceful and orderly. WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TVBack to School, Back to Business A Fresh StartRelationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?“No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling GuiltyRelationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on FriendshipPolice Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce StruggleGet real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now