Ekiti 2026: UK hails INEC, flays vote trading, BVAS glitch

The British High Commission in Nigeria has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the “peaceful conduct” of the governorship election in Ekiti State, but flayed vote trading and glitch of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The High Commission said this in a statement it issued on Monday, in which it also congratulated Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his victory.

It also congratulated voters in the state for participating in the election and exercising their democratic rights.

The commission noted that the poll was the first major election conducted with the Electoral Act, 2026 and its accompanying guidelines.

According to it, its observers met with key stakeholders, including police and INEC officials, before the election to understand how the law was being implemented.

The statement said: “On the day of the election, our observers witnessed positive collaboration between INEC officials and security agencies, which played an important role in ensuring voting was mostly peaceful. 

“While our team noted the prioritisation of vulnerable voters at several polling units, which is commendable, the physical location and set-up of most polling units visited were inaccessible to voters with disabilities.

“Our observers also noted delays to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) at some polling units, which slowed down voting. 

“Technical issues risk undermining voter confidence in electoral systems and can discourage turnout.”

The commission raised concerns about vote buying and interference by party agents during the election.

It said: “Our observation team was concerned to see instances of vote trading and interference by party agents at polling units visited. 

“Vote trading erodes public confidence and undermines the democratic process. 

“We call on all actors to take urgent steps to address this corrosive practice.”

The commission urged stakeholders to apply lessons from the Ekiti State governorship election in the forthcoming governorship poll in Osun State.