Yiaga Africa flags inconsistencies in ballot papers, result sheets for Ekiti governorship election

Election observation group Yiaga Africa has raised significant concerns regarding discrepancies in key election materials for the Ekiti governorship election, warning that these inconsistencies could lead to confusion and complications during voting and results collation.

In a preliminary statement released on Saturday, Yiaga Africa's Ekiti Election Observation Mission highlighted findings from its observers. They noted that the Form EC8A polling unit result sheets have spaces for 15 political parties. However, the ballot papers in circulation list 19 parties. Adding to the confusion, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s final list of candidates, updated on June 18, shows only 14 parties fielding candidates for the election.

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Yiaga Africa preliminary findings identified inconsistencies between the ballot papers, the result sheets, and the list of candidates published by INEC.

Yiaga Africa suggested these discrepancies likely stem from court rulings and administrative changes that affected party and candidate participation after INEC initially published a list of 12 candidates in January. The group observed that these changes were not consistently reflected across all election materials. This inconsistency poses a challenge, as presiding officers may need to record zero votes for parties not appearing on the ballot, or difficulties may arise in recording and reconciling results if voters cast ballots for parties not listed on the result sheets.

The organization stressed the potential for uncertainty during the electoral process and urged INEC to publicly clarify the definitive list of parties and candidates without delay. They also called for clear written instructions to be issued to presiding officers and collation officials on how to accurately complete result sheets in accordance with relevant court judgments and electoral regulations. As of 8:30 a.m. on election day, 96 percent of Yiaga Africa's observers were reportedly at their assigned polling units.

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Yiaga Africa, therefore, calls on INEC to: 1. Publicly clarify, without delay, the final list of parties and candidates, and explain any differences between the ballot papers, result sheets, and earlier announcements.