NHRC Urges Electoral Reforms, Affirms Credibility of Ekiti Gubernatorial Election

Funmi Ogundare

The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) urged comprehensive reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system, while affirming that the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State was credible, free and fair.

During a briefing for journalists, NHRC leaders—including Martins Adeleke, Fred Ojinika and Akinwale Kasali—recommended the introduction of special voting arrangements for essential workers such as journalists, healthcare staff and security personnel.

The coalition also called for amendments to the Electoral Act to allow independent candidacy and to provide special consideration for elderly voters, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with disabilities.

It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish additional polling units in various Ekiti communities to improve access and reduce voter inconvenience.

NHRC expressed concern over the low voter turnout, noting that economic hardship, transportation difficulties, insecurity and declining confidence in democratic outcomes contributed to the trend.

According to the coalition, “both INEC and political parties must intensify voter education and mobilisation efforts to encourage greater participation in future elections.”

The group reported deploying 200 election monitors across the state, adding that the election outcome reflected the genuine democratic aspirations of Ekiti residents and met national and international standards of credibility, transparency and accountability.

NHRC praised voters for their peaceful conduct, stating that the poll was free from violence, ballot snatching and other irregularities that had marred previous elections in the state.

The coalition highlighted INEC’s real‑time transmission of results as enhancing transparency and accountability, and noted that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) significantly reduced opportunities for electoral fraud.

“Compared with global standards, the election meets international expectations. INEC’s deployment of BVAS eliminated ballot snatching, manipulation of voters’ registers and other forms of electoral fraud, thereby making political thuggery and vote stuffing unattractive,” the group said.

It commended the professionalism of Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi and his team for their transparent and efficient management of the election.

“The election in most places began as scheduled. Voting was generally peaceful, orderly and violence‑free. It remains one of the most peaceful elections in the history of Nigeria and particularly in Ekiti State,” the group added.