An election observer, the Case Tracking and Response Centre (CTRC), has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for prioritising the needs of elderly persons, Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.
The centre, coordinated by the Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), made the commendation in its post-election assessment of the poll.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Oluwatumininu Adedeji, on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, CTRC said it monitored the election through a network of community observers across the 16 local government areas of the state.
It praised INEC for measures that promoted inclusiveness during the exercise.
According to the statement, the election was generally peaceful, with an impressive turnout of women, elderly persons, and PWDs.
It added that pregnant women and nursing mothers were given priority during accreditation and voting in most of the polling units observed.
The centre noted that such practices reflect progress toward inclusive electoral participation and should be sustained and strengthened in future elections.
CTRC also urged INEC to conduct a comprehensive post-election audit of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and improve technological preparedness ahead of future polls.
It stated that technology has become an integral component of Nigeria’s electoral reforms and remains a commendable tool for achieving greater inclusion and efficiency.
The centre, however, expressed concern over reported cases of vote trading in several polling units, alleging that some incidents occurred near voting centres and in the presence of security personnel.
It called on INEC, security agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to strengthen collaboration in investigating and prosecuting electoral offences.
The statement emphasised that curbing vote trading is essential to safeguarding the credibility of future elections and enhancing public confidence in the electoral process.
