Vote-buying, insecurity threaten 2027 polls — IRI Mission

The mission warned that when voters and candidates lack confidence in their physical security, or voters cannot trust that their ballots will remain secret and free from political influence, improvements in election administration and legal safeguards would have limited effect.” The mission noted that while the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states were generally peaceful on Election Day, “violent disruptions during collation, persistent vote-buying and political violence exposed structural weaknesses that technical preparations alone cannot address.

The mission said the credibility of a closely contested election would depend not only on sound technical administration but also on the transparent and consistent application of procedures, clear and timely public communication, and broad public confidence that the process is secure, credible and impartial.