#EkitiDecides2026: Party agents use numbered slips instead of cash for vote buying in Ekiti election

Vote-buying tactics may have been employed during the Ekiti State governorship election, with party agents reportedly using numbered slips instead of direct cash distribution at polling units.

Premium Times observed instances in Emure-Ekiti and Ose-Ekiti Local Government Areas where party agents asked voters to show their marked ballots. Instead of handing out cash, these agents issued numbers to voters after they cast their votes. The exact purpose of these numbers could not be independently verified by the newspaper, but the practice was seen repeatedly across several polling units.

Election observers have previously identified the use of coded numbers, tokens, and other verification methods as strategies to facilitate vote-buying while avoiding the direct exchange of cash at polling stations. These methods aim to ensure voters have indeed cast their ballots as instructed before receiving their reward.

Security personnel and election officials were present at the polling units where these practices were observed. The election is contested by Governor Oyebanji, Oluyede, and 12 other candidates.