#EkitiDecides2026: CLEEN Foundation Raises Alarm Over Vote-Buying, Partisan Conduct by Security Operatives During Ekiti Bye-Election, Demands Probe

Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State– The CLEEN Foundation has raised concerns over alleged incidents of voter inducement, vote-buying, partisan conduct by security personnel, and operational lapses during the Ekiti State bye-election, warning that the reported irregularities could undermine public confidence in the electoral process if not urgently addressed.

The concerns were disclosed on Saturday by the Executive Director of the CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma, who shared the organisation’s observations and findings from its election monitoring exercise to Afrika Eyes.

According to the organisation, concerns were raised regarding the conduct of some party agents in several polling units across the state.

“In Ado Ekiti (Oke Ila Ward, PU 07), party members were reportedly issuing tally slips to voters after they had cast their ballots and directing them to a location outside the polling unit, raising suspicions of possible vote-buying or voter inducement,” the report stated.

The organisation further disclosed that similar incidents were observed in Ijero Local Government Area.

“Similarly, in Ijero LGA (Ward D, PU 002), observers reported instances of voters being influenced by party agents.”

Maduoma said the incidents highlighted the urgent need for electoral authorities and security agencies to intensify monitoring of political party activities around polling units.

“These incidents underscore the need for closer monitoring of party agent activities to ensure compliance with electoral guidelines and to safeguard the integrity of the voting process,” he said.

Following its observations and analysis of data gathered during the election, the CLEEN Foundation issued a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, improving security operations, and enhancing public confidence in future elections.

The organisation called for mandatory impartiality training for security personnel deployed during elections, noting that a significant percentage of security officials were perceived as lacking neutrality.

“Security agencies should develop and implement mandatory training programmes focused on impartiality, neutrality, and professional conduct during elections, particularly given that 46.3 per cent of security officials were perceived as not impartial,” the foundation said.

It added that such training should emphasise the importance of remaining apolitical and treating all voters and political actors equally, irrespective of political affiliation.

The foundation also urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strictly enforce the Code of Conduct for Security Personnel on Election Duty.

According to the report, a dedicated complaints mechanism should be established to receive and investigate allegations of misconduct by security personnel, while findings from such investigations should be made public to enhance accountability.

“Officers found to have engaged in partisan conduct or other forms of misconduct should face disciplinary action, including possible dismissal, to serve as a deterrent to others and restore public confidence in the impartiality of security agencies,” the organisation stated.

The CLEEN Foundation further recommended the institutionalisation of a rotational deployment policy for election security personnel.

It explained that officers should be deployed outside their communities of origin to reduce the risk of bias, familiarity with local political actors, and potential conflicts of interest.

“A rotational deployment policy should be institutionalised, ensuring that officers are assigned to polling units and LGAs where they have no personal, familial, or political connections,” the report noted.

The foundation also identified gaps in security deployment during the election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force to address the issue.

It specifically cited Ijero LGA, Ward D (04), Polling Unit 002, where observers reportedly recorded an absence of security personnel.

“INEC and the Nigeria Police Force should ensure a more consistent security deployment model to eliminate gaps where polling units have no security presence, such as the case identified in Ijero LGA (Ward D (04), PU 002),” the report said.

The organisation recommended improved intelligence-led deployment, comprehensive pre-election mapping of polling units, and the establishment of rapid response mechanisms capable of addressing deployment gaps on election day.

It also called for a real-time monitoring system to track security deployments across polling units and facilitate swift corrective measures where necessary.

Although the foundation acknowledged that 90.3 per cent of security personnel arrived at polling units on time, it expressed concern that 9.8 per cent arrived between 8:00 a.m. and 8:59 a.m., stressing that all personnel should be in position before the commencement of voting.

“Security agencies should establish clear protocols for early deployment, including pre-positioning of personnel at strategic locations the night before elections and ensuring that logistical support is available to facilitate timely arrival at polling units regardless of weather conditions or other potential delays,” it recommended.

The organisation further urged security agencies to strengthen compliance with health and safety protocols during elections.

It called for the development of standing operational procedures on public health safety, including the use of face masks whenever required by public health advisories.

“Security agencies should establish clear protocols for health safety measures during elections, ensuring that personnel are equipped with necessary protective items and trained on their proper use,” the report stated.

On the issue of election technology, the foundation called on INEC to improve technical support for the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to prevent delays and disruptions.

According to the report, INEC should provide multiple backup BVAS devices and ensure that technical support teams are strategically positioned for rapid deployment on election day.

“A dedicated BVAS technical helpline should be established for election day, with support personnel strategically positioned across LGAs to respond quickly to technical challenges,” the organisation recommended.

The report also called for improved logistical support and accessibility measures for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

It urged INEC to ensure adequate provision of assistive materials such as Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses to facilitate inclusive participation.

“INEC must improve the provision of assistive materials for Persons with Disabilities, including Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses, to ensure an inclusive election that complies with the legal framework for disability inclusion,” the foundation stated.

The organisation further recommended that security personnel receive specialised training on how to assist persons with disabilities in a respectful and dignified manner during elections.

Beyond election-day activities, the CLEEN Foundation expressed concern over an attack on the Isan Police Station and called for urgent measures to strengthen the protection of security infrastructure.

“The attack on the Isan Police Station underscores the need for robust security infrastructure and protocols to protect police facilities and personnel,” the report said.

It called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger early warning systems, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent future attacks on security installations, particularly during periods of heightened political activity.

The organisation also advocated improved physical security measures at police facilities, including perimeter fencing, enhanced lighting systems, and modern communication equipment.

However, the foundation demanded a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Isan Police Station.

“The police authorities should conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Isan Police Station attack to determine the facts, identify perpetrators, prevent recurrence, and ensure accountability,” the report stated.

According to the foundation, the findings of the investigation should be made public to reassure citizens of the commitment of security agencies to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.

It added that any systemic weaknesses uncovered during the investigation should be addressed through appropriate policy reforms and operational improvements.

The CLEEN Foundation maintained that implementing the recommendations would significantly strengthen electoral integrity, improve public trust in democratic institutions, and ensure that future elections are conducted in a transparent, peaceful, inclusive, and credible manner.