By Matilda Ikediobi

Civil society organisation, Nigerian Human Rights Community, NHRC, has lamented what it described as low voter turnout during the Ekiti State governorship election, saying poor economic conditions and fear of insecurity affected people’s participation.

NHRC also demanded the creation of more polling units in the state, saying the 2000 polling units were not enough, as some electorate travelled long distances to cast their ballots.

The group, which trained 200 election monitors deployed to 177 wards for the poll that was held on June 20, 2026, however, said the outcome of the election was credible, free and fair.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, scored 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Dr Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, scored 40,5533 votes.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, leaders of the group led by Martins Adeleke, Fred Ojinika and Akinwale Kasali, commended the people of Ekiti for a peaceful and orderly turnout.

According to them, the election was free of violence and ballot snatching.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Martins Adeleke said: “The distribution of ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System Machines and Voters’ registers were effectively deployed in real time. The election in most places began as scheduled. The voting was generally peaceful, orderly and violence free. It remains one of the most violent-free in the history of elections in Nigeria and particularly in Ekiti State. The passion of voters also indicated an overwhelming preference for democracy as the best alternative to any other non-representative government.

“The result reflects the true aspirations of the people of Ekiti State and shows clearly the strength of the ruling party in the State. The mass celebration of voters after the results were announced on Sunday was a confirmation of the overwhelming support the governor of Ekiti State continues to enjoy in the state.”

On challenges, he said: “In comparative sense with the average turnout of voters in many African countries, the turn out of voters on June 20 was below average. Many factors appear responsible for this which includes but not limited to poor economic conditions, which affects transportation, fear of insecurity and dwindling public concern about the quality of democracy dividends. INEC and the political parties need to do a lot to encourage people to come and vote as one of the most significant civic duties of every Nigerian. Irrespective of the challenges, democracy remains the best option for Nigerians.

“There is the urgent need for INEC to recognise the need for a timetable that would honour special voters which are professionals most likely to be on duty on voting day like health officials, journalists, people on admission in hospitals and security operatives who would be on duty on the day of the election. Special voters are recognised by the Constitution of Ghana.

“There is the need for an amendment of the Electoral Act to accommodate independent candidates. This will further deepen democracy and enrich the political space to accommodate poor but credible candidates to emerge as contestants.

“INEC needs to give special preference to elderly people, aged people, pregnant and nursing murders who may not be able to stay for a long time on the queue to vote. People With Disability, PWD, should also be giving special preference on voting day.”