The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has accredited 98 observer groups, 96 domestic and two foreign, for the Ekiti State governorship election to be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The commission said in a statement signed by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, on Wednesday, that the accredited organisations represent a broad spectrum of civil society groups, professional bodies and institutions with expertise in election observation, governance, human rights, gender advocacy, youth development and peacebuilding.
The statement noted that some of the notable domestic observers are Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, Yiaga Africa, CLEEN Foundation, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Nigerian Bar Association, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, and Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria, among others.
“The presence of accredited observers is in accordance with the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process,” said the statement.
Noting that observer groups have an important role in increasing public confidence in elections through independent assessment of procedures and outcomes.
The commission “urged all accredited organisations to strictly adhere to the guidelines for election observation and conduct their activities in a non-partisan and professional manner”.
The accredited domestic observer groups, according to INEC, include the 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Advocacy for Promotion of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative Initiative. Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation. Africa Women for Unity, Social and Culture Organisation. African Christian Care Trust Organization. Akai for Youths Sustainable Development Foundation. Akakpuchionwa Empowerment Foundation. Amazons Women of Substance Foundation. Arise and Build Human Empowerment and Growth Foundation.
Others include Aspire African Youth Empowerment Initiative; Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative; Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Caringhands Youth Initiatives Initiative Caritas Empowerment and Development Initiative Initiative Centre for Development and Transformation Initiative Initiative Centre for Childcare and Youth Development Initiative Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness Initiative Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa Initiative Centre for Empowerment and Rebirth for Sustainable Development Initiative Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development
Others are: Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Communities Initiative; Centre for Positive Change and Civic Responsibility; Centre for Strategic Conflict Management; Centre for Transparency Advocacy; Christian and Muslims for Peace Progressive and Unity Initiative; Citadel of Hope Initiative; Citizens Advocates for Peace is Possible in Nigeria; Citizen’s Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative; Citizens Rights & Leadership Awareness Initiative; Citizens Rights for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative; Citizenship Civic Awareness Centre; CLEEN Foundation; Committee for the Defence of Human Rights; Community Advancement, Good Leadership and Development Initiative; Community Structure Foundation for Good Governance and Concerned Initiative for Community & Social Development.
Others are Conscience Women of Africa Initiative; Diaspora Advocacy for a New Dawn Initiative, Nigeria; Echoes of Empathy and Leadership Foundation; Forum of Nigerian Ministers and Workers of God; Foundation for Women Development; Future Leaders Global Initiative; Gifted Youth and Women Empowerment Foundation, Eha-Amufu; Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission, Nigeria; Global Initiative for African Development; Grassroots Development and Peace Initiative; Grassroots in Advance of Democracy Initiative for Improve Sustainability; Greater People Centre for Gender Advocacy, Youth Empowerment and Education; Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society.
Other listed groups are: Ilimu Wal Hikmah Islamic Foundation Immaculate Initiative for Peace Initiative for Peace Humanity and Social Advancement for Women Initiative for the Awareness of Civic Education of Citizens Initiative for the Rapid Development of Nigeria Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development Foundation Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria Intercontinental Leadership Initiative International Standard Centre for Development Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons Muslim Sisters for Social Justice Initiative National Democratic Institute National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies Network of Men with Disability Foundation New Dawn for Development New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative New Dream for Grassroots Development NESSACTION Nigeria Nigeria; Civil Society Situation Room Policy & Legal Advocacy Centre Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative Nigerian Bar Association Nigerian Women Trust Fund Northern Patriotic Front Patriotic Women Foundation Police Service Commission Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria Rightway for Women and Youth in Africa Development Initiative and Rosxywhite Care Foundation.
Other groups include Savera Africa Gender Initiative; Secure Tomorrow Initiative; Society for Peace and Capacity Building; Sonia Initiative for Sustainable Peace and Progress; The Flag Foundation of Nigeria; The Peoples’ Care and Advocacy Initiative; TAF Africa (The Albino Foundation); Transform Nigeria Citizens Initiative; Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peace Building and Development; United Nigeria Peace Foundation; Winex Foundation; Women and Youth Development Initiative; Women in Politics Forum; Women of Integrity for Sustainable Advancement Foundation; Womenfest for Betterlife Living Initiative; Women’s Right and Peace Protection Initiative for Africa; Yiaga Africa Initiative; Youth Initiative for Better and Great Nigeria; Your Vote is Your Voice Africa Initiative.
It also stated that the foreign observer groups are AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and Nouvel Perspective.
The commission reiterated its preparedness to hold the election and assured stakeholders of its commitment to deliver a credible and transparent electoral process.
In another development, INEC in a statement Tuesday by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the third and final phase of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration for the ongoing exercise will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026 and end on Friday, July 10, 2026.
The IVEC chairman recalled that the second phase of the exercise was suspended on April 17, 2026, after the publication of the register for claims and objections, a process aimed at cleaning up the voters’ register.
The resumption of the exercise, he said, offers another opportunity for eligible Nigerians, especially those who have just clocked 18 years or could not register in previous phases, to enrol.
The commission also called on registered voters who wish to transfer their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards or correct their bio-data to take advantage of the exercise. Such services can be obtained via its dedicated online portal or at INEC state and local government area offices nationwide, it added.
He further announced that the display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections will hold from Saturday, July 23 to Friday, July 29, 2026, describing the exercise as a critical step in ensuring the accuracy, completeness and credibility of the voters’ register.
The statement read, “The Commission assures Nigerians that all necessary arrangements have been concluded for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
The IVEC chairman urged all eligible citizens to participate actively in the registration process, stressing that broad-based participation is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
