Yiaga Africa has reported inconsistencies between the ballot papers, result sheets, and the final list of candidates published by INEC in the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.

In a statement, the election observation group pointed out that the Form EC8A polling unit result sheets have spaces for 15 political parties, while the ballot papers in circulation carry 19 parties. INEC’s final list of candidates, updated on its website as of June 18, 2026, shows that only 14 parties actually fielded candidates.

Yiaga noted that after INEC published an initial list of 12 candidates in January 2026, court rulings — including one on the PDP candidacy — and late administrative changes altered party participation. However, these changes do not appear to have been fully reflected across all election materials, and the public may not have been properly informed.

The group warned that these inconsistencies could confuse voting and the collation of results. Where result sheets include parties not on the ballot, presiding officers may record zero votes for parties that voters never saw. Where voters cast ballots for parties not on the result sheet, it could create problems during reconciliation and collation.

Yiaga Africa called on INEC to:

Publicly clarify the final list of parties and candidates
Explain the differences between ballot papers, result sheets, and earlier announcements
Issue clear written instructions to presiding and collation officers on how to complete result sheets in line with the law and relevant court judgments