The European Union and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations have launched a Joint Election Observation Hub to provide real-time monitoring of the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election, in a move aimed at strengthening electoral transparency and boosting public confidence in the polls.
The initiative, under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, will deploy accredited observers across all local government areas of Ekiti State to monitor the conduct of the election and provide verified, evidence-based reports throughout the electoral process, according to a statement by the EU delegation on Thursday.
The coalition comprises Yiaga Africa, the International Press Centre, the Centre for Media and Society, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund.
Announcing the initiative in Ado-Ekiti, the organisations said the Joint Election Observation Hub would serve as a central coordination platform for receiving, verifying and analysing reports from observers stationed at polling units across the state.
According to the coalition, the observers will monitor critical aspects of the election, including the opening of polls, voter accreditation, voting, vote counting, results collation, media coverage, electoral integrity and compliance with electoral guidelines.
