Yiaga Africa has raised concerns over logistical lapses and low voter turnout in Saturday’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, warning that the issues could undermine the integrity of the process.
In its preliminary report, the election observer group cited the late arrival of voting materials, poor communication on last-minute changes to polling units, and the non-availability of essential election materials in some polling stations.
Yiaga Africa also reported widespread voter apathy across monitored areas and said the deployment of security personnel in some locations restricted the movement of election observers.
The organisation urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve voter engagement and strengthen its logistics system.
“INEC must provide adequate information to voters and significantly improve its logistics value chain, which remains flawed,” the group said.
Similarly, Ballot Eye, a coalition of civil society organisations, raised concerns over last-minute changes to voting stations, which it said disenfranchised many voters.
The group called on INEC to explain the changes and deploy voter support mechanisms to help citizens locate their reassigned polling units.
Ballot Eye also reported low turnout, citing a polling unit in Gwarinpa with about 750 registered voters where only 19 voters were recorded. It further noted delays in the delivery of election materials in areas including Kayada in Kuje, Durumi, Gwarinpa, Rugan Fulani in Bwari and Abaji.
The coalition is led by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, alongside YvoteNaija Initiative, FactCheck Africa, Election Violence Incident Tracka and Rising Child Foundation.
Both groups urged INEC to address the challenges to boost public confidence in the electoral process.
