Yiaga Africa has published its preliminary assessment of the Federal Capital Territory area council elections, expressing concerns about the credibility of the ward collation process scheduled to commence shortly.
In its initial findings, the election observation mission identified several shortcomings during the exercise, including delays in the delivery of election materials to certain polling units.
The group also reported that some voters received late notification regarding changes to their voting locations, particularly in cases where polling units were reorganised due to an increase in registered voters.
The organisation stated that significant voter apathy was recorded in many of the areas monitored. It further noted that essential voting materials were unavailable at some polling stations visited by its observers.
Yiaga Africa also observed that the heavy deployment of security personnel created obstacles for election observers, restricting their movement and limiting their ability to effectively monitor proceedings.
Although describing its report as preliminary, the civil society group maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission must intensify efforts to properly inform and engage citizens. It urged the electoral body to address weaknesses in its logistics and operational value chain, which it described as deeply flawed.
Similarly, another coalition of civil society organisations operating under the name Ballot Eye echoed comparable concerns, particularly regarding what it described as last-minute changes to voting stations affecting numerous prospective voters. According to the coalition’s observers, these changes resulted in many individuals being unable to vote.
The group called on INEC to provide clarification on the abrupt reassignment of polling units and to immediately activate voter assistance mechanisms to help affected citizens locate their new voting centres.
Ballot Eye also highlighted what it characterised as alarming voter apathy. In one polling station monitored in Gwarinpa, which reportedly had about 750 registered voters, only 19 individuals were recorded as having cast their ballots.
The coalition further pointed to delays in the arrival of electoral materials in several locations, including Kayada in Kuje, Junior Secondary School Durumi 1, Government Secondary School Gwarinpa, Rugan Fulani in Bwari, and Abaji East Primary School.
Ballot Eye is a coalition led by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative and comprises YvoteNaija Initiative, FactCheck Africa, Election Violence Incident Tracka, and Rising Child Foundation.
What you should know
Yiaga Africa and the Ballot Eye coalition have raised concerns about the conduct of the FCT area council elections, citing late arrival of materials, last-minute changes to polling units, voter apathy, and logistical shortcomings.
Both groups have called on INEC to improve communication with voters, strengthen its logistics operations, and clarify issues surrounding polling unit reassignments to prevent disenfranchisement.
