Ekiti gov poll met global standards – Rights groups

A coalition of human rights organisations under the aegis of the Nigerian Human Rights Community, which observed the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, has described the election as credible, free and fair, and one that met international standards.

The coalition’s position was contained in a statement signed by Martins Adeleke, Fred Ojinika and Abubakar Ahmed.

The coalition premised its conclusion on reports from its over 200 observers deployed across Ekiti State to monitor the election.

It declared that the election “reflected the genuine democratic choice of the electorate, was peaceful and largely devoid of the violence, ballot snatching and other irregularities that had marred previous elections.”

The ruling All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, won the governorship election in all 16 local government areas of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Oyebanji the winner after he polled 319,224 votes, defeating his closest rivals in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Olumayokun Oluyede, and the African Democratic Congress, Dare Bejide, across the state’s 16 local government areas.

The rights groups commended INEC for improvements in the electoral process, particularly the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of results.

According to the coalition, the innovations “enhanced transparency, accountability and credibility while eliminating ballot snatching, voter register manipulation and other forms of electoral fraud.”

It stated, “Compared with global standards, the election met international expectations. This is attributable to the improvements recorded by INEC over the years and the professionalism demonstrated by its officials during the poll.”

The coalition said the election results reflected the political reality in the state, noting that the ruling All Progressives Congress dominated voting across many polling units.

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Oyebanji was declared the winner with 319,224 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, who scored 40,533 votes, while the African Democratic Congress candidate, Dare Bejide, polled 12,872 votes.

According to the observers, the APC’s victory was aided by extensive grassroots campaigns, a stronger political structure across the state and the advantage of incumbency.

Despite its positive assessment, the coalition urged electoral reforms, including the introduction of provisions for special voters such as journalists, health workers and security personnel on election duty.

It also praised the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, and members of his team for what it described as professionalism and transparency in the conduct of the election.

The rights groups noted that election materials were delivered promptly across the state’s 177 wards and polling units, while voting commenced as scheduled in most locations visited by their observers.

It added that party agents of opposition political parties were present at the polling units monitored, while votes were counted openly in their presence, reducing fears of manipulation.

The coalition, however, expressed concern over the relatively low voter turnout, urging INEC and political parties to intensify voter education and civic engagement ahead of future elections.

It maintained that despite the challenges, “democracy remains the best system of government,” and called on stakeholders to sustain efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.

It also called for constitutional backing for independent candidacy, preferential treatment for elderly persons, pregnant women and persons living with disabilities during voting, and the creation of additional polling units to reduce overcrowding and the long distances voters travel to cast their ballots.