The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised concerns over low voter turnout and reported electoral irregularities during the Ekiti State governorship election.
In its final assessment read by Co-convener Celestine Odo and MMA Odi, on Monday, the group says only about 37 per cent of eligible voters participated in the election despite a 97.1 per cent Permanent Voter Card collection rate.
According to INEC figures cited by the organisation, 1,028,929 voters collected their PVCs, while 384,940 voters were accredited and 382,109 votes were cast.
Situation Room described the election as generally peaceful, noting that election officials and security agencies largely discharged their duties in line with established procedures.
The organisation, which deployed over 200 observers across the 16 local government areas, however, reported isolated cases of electoral irregularities.
It cite a polling unit in Agiampe Onyema West where individuals without voter cards were allowed to vote after their names were verified on the register.
The group also reported that a senior government official allegedly directed that registered voters, including those absent, should be allowed to vote at a polling unit in Ado-Ekiti.
Situation Room further raised concerns over inconsistencies in election materials, noting that while INEC announced 14 participating political parties, ballot papers contained 19 parties while result sheets reflected 15.
The group also recorded isolated cases of BVAS malfunction, delayed accreditation and allegations of voter inducement in some polling units.
It urges INEC to review operational challenges before future elections and called on security agencies to strengthen efforts to prevent electoral offences.
Situation Room also appealed to political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns and urged stakeholders to address declining voter participation and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
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