Ekiti Election: Yiaga Africa Reports High Deployment of Materials, Security

The election advocacy group Yiaga Africa has reported a robust deployment of essential election materials and security personnel across polling units in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election. In a midday update, the organization stated that reports from 247 out of 250 observed polling units indicated the availability of key voting materials by noon.

Voting cubicles, crucial for ensuring ballot secrecy, were present in 99% of the monitored polling units. Yiaga Africa also noted that the Poster for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), known as Form EC 30E, was displayed in 86% of polling units. However, the deployment rate for the PWD Voter Information and Statistics Form (Form EC 40H) was lower, appearing in 78% of observed units across the state.

These figures suggest a significant compliance with accessibility-related election materials in most locations, though some units still need to fully implement provisions for voters with disabilities. The observer group also highlighted an extensive security presence, with personnel present in 98% of polling units by midday. This aligns with police authorities' reported deployment of 3,000 to 4,000 officers to support the election's conduct and maintain order.

Yiaga Africa's observations are based on data transmitted by observers from 247 polling units. Ekiti State, with 1,059,360 registered voters and a 97.1% Permanent Voter Card collection rate, is conducting its governorship election across 2,445 polling units. Vote counting was underway in many parts of the state as of the time of reporting.