Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti Observers Raise Alarm as BVAS Fails to Recognise Elderly Voters in Governorship Poll
Technical hitches with biometric system spark concern over disenfranchisement; INEC faces calls for urgent review
Technical hitches with biometric system spark concern over disenfranchisement; INEC faces calls for urgent review
Election observers have expressed serious concern after the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) failed to recognise several elderly voters during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election on Saturday, 20 June 2026. Reports from multiple polling units across the state indicated that some senior citizens were unable to complete accreditation as the BVAS devices repeatedly rejected their fingerprints and facial recognition attempts.
The malfunction was observed in different local government areas, with officials confirming that affected voters were mostly elderly persons whose biometric data could not be captured by the machines. While some polling officers attempted manual intervention, many of the older voters left frustrated, unable to cast their ballots.
This incident has raised fresh questions about the reliability of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process, especially in rural communities where access and technical know-how remain limited. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduced BVAS to curb multiple voting and enhance transparency, but similar glitches were recorded during previous elections, prompting calls for improvement ahead of the high-stakes Ekiti poll.
An observer group monitoring the election described the situation as worrisome and urged INEC to provide alternative accreditation procedures for vulnerable groups. “We have seen several elderly voters unable to vote because BVAS could not recognise them,” one observer stated. “INEC must urgently address this to avoid widespread disenfranchisement.”
As at press time, INEC officials said efforts were ongoing to resolve technical issues at affected polling units. The commission is expected to conduct a review after the election and consider recommendations from stakeholders on improving biometric verification for subsequent polls.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NUJ Demands Sanctions as Magistrate Ejects Journalists from Akwa Ibom Court
Union condemns removal of reporters during court session, urges judiciary to uphold press freedom in Akwa Ibom State
Union condemns removal of reporters during court session, urges judiciary to uphold press freedom in Akwa Ibom State
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for disciplinary action against a magistrate in Akwa Ibom State following the ejection of journalists from a courtroom on Saturday. The incident occurred at a magistrate court sitting in Uyo, the state capital, where reporters were reportedly ordered out during ongoing proceedings.
According to the NUJ, its members were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were asked to leave by the presiding magistrate. The union described the action as a direct affront to press freedom and demanded immediate sanctions against the judicial officer involved. “Journalists have a constitutional role to inform the public and must not be hindered while covering court activities,” the NUJ stated.
This development has sparked concern among media professionals in Akwa Ibom, with many warning that such actions undermine transparency and public confidence in the judicial process. The NUJ noted that this is not the first time journalists have faced obstacles in accessing courtrooms in the state, raising questions about commitment to openness by some judicial officers.
In its reaction, the NUJ leadership urged the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State to investigate the incident and ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent recurrence. The union also called on all magistrates and judges to respect journalists’ rights under Nigerian law. “We expect an unreserved apology from those involved and clear assurances that such incidents will not happen again,” the union added.
The judiciary is yet to issue an official statement on the matter as at press time. Media rights advocates say they will continue to monitor developments and push for reforms that guarantee unhindered access for journalists covering court proceedings across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti INEC Begins Collation of 2026 Governorship Election Results Across State LGAs
Electoral commission commences official announcement of results as parties and observers monitor voting outcomes in Ado-Ekiti
Electoral commission commences official announcement of results as parties and observers monitor voting outcomes in Ado-Ekiti
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the collation of results for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, with officials gathering figures from polling units across the state’s sixteen local government areas on Saturday. The exercise is taking place at the state collation centre in Ado-Ekiti under tight security.
According to INEC officials, results from most polling units began arriving at the various local government collation centres shortly after voting ended earlier in the day. Party agents, election observers, and journalists are present at the collation venues to monitor proceedings as electoral officers announce unit-by-unit vote tallies. As at press time, results from several local governments have been forwarded to the state headquarters for final collation.
The Ekiti governorship poll is seen as a critical test of electoral credibility in the South-West region ahead of national elections. The major political parties—All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and others—fielded candidates amid heightened anticipation among residents. The outcome will determine who succeeds the incumbent and shape political alignments ahead of 2027 general elections.
INEC officials said they are committed to transparency in the collation process, urging all stakeholders to maintain peace. Security agencies were deployed across key locations to forestall any disruption. The APC and PDP expressed optimism about their prospects, while some civil society groups called for calm as counting continued.
The commission is expected to announce official results for each LGA before declaring a winner at the state level. As at Saturday evening, collation was ongoing with final figures yet to be released. Stakeholders have been advised to await INEC’s declaration for credible outcomes.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti ADC Governorship Candidate Hails High Turnout, Alleges Malpractices in 2026 Polls
Opposition candidate raises concerns over irregularities as observers report robust voter participation across Ekiti State
Opposition candidate raises concerns over irregularities as observers report robust voter participation across Ekiti State
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate has described voter turnout in Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election as impressive, but expressed worries over alleged cases of electoral malpractice in several polling units. The election, which held across all local government areas of the South-West state on 20 June 2026, attracted large crowds according to party agents and independent observers present at multiple centres.
Reports from various wards indicated early arrival of officials and prompt commencement of voting, with many residents seen queuing as early as 7 a.m. However, the ADC candidate claimed that despite the enthusiasm shown by voters, the process was marred by incidents of ballot box snatching and voter intimidation. He said these irregularities occurred mainly in areas considered strongholds for opposition parties.
The conduct of the poll is seen as a critical test for Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ekiti State, located in the South-West geopolitical zone, has often been cited for high political engagement and competitive races between major parties like APC and PDP. Analysts say credible elections in states like Ekiti are vital for public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While commending security agencies for their visible presence at strategic points, the ADC candidate insisted that isolated breaches must be investigated to uphold the integrity of the results. “We acknowledge INEC’s effort to improve logistics this time, but reports from our agents show that some actors attempted to disrupt voting where they felt threatened,” he stated during a briefing after polls closed.
INEC officials have yet to issue a comprehensive statement on alleged malpractices. Final collation of results is ongoing at the state headquarters in Ado-Ekiti. Stakeholders are calling on authorities to address complaints promptly and ensure that legitimate votes count towards determining the next Governor of Ekiti State.
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