Logistics gaps could threaten success of 2027 elections — Yiaga Africa

2026-02-23 - 13:06

By Gabriel Ewepu ABUJA – AN election observer, Yiaga Africa, Sunday, expressed worries over logistics gaps during the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, ahead of 2027 general elections. In its report at a press conference, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, and, Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu, said the delays in logistics during the elections is an issue that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, supposed to handle holistically ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, Itodo said there was no deployment of the Parallel Vote Tabulation, PVT, methodology for the FCT Area Council elections, adding that their address read is limited to process observation and does not provide an independent statistical verification of the official election results. He said: “Yiaga Africa notes with concern the recurring logistical challenges that adversely affected the timely commencement of polls during the FCT Area Council elections. “Delays in the deployment of personnel and materials, coupled with inadequate communication on polling unit relocations, undermined voter confidence and contributed to disenfranchisement. “With the 2027 general elections fast approaching, such lapses are unacceptable. INEC must therefore adopt a more detailed, projectized approach to logistics planning and execution, ensuring that operational frameworks are robust, timelines are strictly adhered to, and contingency measures are in place to guarantee efficiency and credibility in future elections.” Meanwhile, according to him, “The 2026 FCT Area Council Elections present a mixed but cautionary signal ahead of the 2027 general elections. While voting was largely peaceful and there was substantial compliance with results management procedures including high IReV upload rates, the ward-level collation stage remains the most fragile link in the electoral value chain. “Violent disruptions, delays, security lapses, and relocation of collation processes exposed weaknesses that threaten the integrity of results management.” He also stated that, “The lessons from the FCT election must therefore drive urgent reforms in logistics, security coordination, and collation procedures. “The Ward Results Collation Process Findings: This report is based on data collected from observers in 58 of the 62 ward collation centres. “Commencement and Logistics: Ward collation commenced between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm in 66% of the collation centres observed. An additional 10% began between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm, while 3% commenced between 9:00 pm and midnight. “In Kuje Central and Kabi wards of Kuje arec council, collation did not begin until the following morning. The primary causes of delay included: late arrival of materials from polling units, absence of collation at designated times, logistical failures in transporting sensitive materials, and reported intimidation of officials by political thugs that caused officers to await security escorts. “Transparency and Posting of Results: In 80% of the ward collation centres observed, collation officers completed and publicly displayed the Notice of Results Poster (Form EC60E) for the chairmanship election. “Counter signing of Result Forms: In 95% of ward collation centres that commenced collation, party agents were requested to countersign the result forms. ADC agents countersigned in 88% of centres observed, APC agents in 93%, PDP agents in 91%, and SDP agents in 59% of centres. “Distribution of Collation Results (Form EC8B): Observers reported that copies of Form EC8B were distributed in 100% of the ward collation centres observed.” Yiaga Africa indicated that, “However, disagreements with the declared results were recorded in two per of the centres. Deployment of Security Officials: Yiaga Africa observers reported the presence of security officials in 98% of collation centres observed. Reported Critical Incidents from Collation Centres Intimidation, Harassment, and Violence “Yiaga Africa WTV observers reported incidents of intimidation, harassment, and violence at several ward collation centres. It is important to note that Yiaga Africa did not deploy the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology for the FCT Area Council elections. Consequently, this statement is limited to process observation and does not provide an independent statistical verification of the official election results. Yiaga Africa said with these critical incidents there is “significant implications for electoral integrity”, and that, “Disruptions, intimidation, and relocating collation processes undermine the collation of election results and increase the risk of manipulation, or tampering with election results. “It also raises legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and the impact of the extensive deployment of security personnel during the elections.” Meanwhile,in its recommendations, Yiaga Africa said, “Ahead of Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections and the 2027 general elections, INEC should strengthen its election deployment planning and logistics management to ensure timely deployment of materials and personnel, and effective communication to voters on polling unit redistribution. “INEC should conclude voter redistribution exercise and ensure that affected voters are informed well in advance of Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2027 general elections to avoid confusion and potential disenfranchisement. “INEC should strengthen the collation and results management process by ensuring strict adherence to procedures, timely transmission of results and consistent posting of result forms in polling units and collation centers to enhance citizens’ trust and confidence. “Ensure timely publication of polling units’ results (Form EC8A) to IReV to strengthen transparency, build public trust and reduce suspicion of manipulation, and in accordance with the newly signed 2026 Electoral Act. “Address collation delay by instituting staggered material collection schedules, pre-positioning security escorts, and penalizing returning officers for avoidable delays.Undertake an independent post-election audit of the electronic transmission system to assess whether any technical failures contributed to upload gaps.”