The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially accredited 98 observer groups for the upcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
This total includes 96 domestic groups and two international groups, all of which are authorized to monitor the electoral process to ensure transparency and credibility.
The accredited organisations comprise 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.
Notable among the domestic observers are the 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 Commission stated that the presence of accredited observers is in line with its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
It further noted that observer groups play a critical role in enhancing public confidence in elections through independent assessment of procedures and outcomes.
The Commission urged all accredited organisations to adhere strictly to the guidelines for election observation and to conduct their activities in a non-partisan and professional manner.
The accredited domestic observer groups are: 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative; Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa 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; Aspire African Youth Empowerment Initiative; Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative; Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Initiative; Caringhands Youth Initiatives; Caritas Empowerment and Development Initiative; Center for Development and Transformation Initiative; Centre for Childcare and Youth Development; Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness; Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa; Centre for Empowerment and Rebirth for Sustainable Development; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID); 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 (CSF); Concerned Initiative for Community & Social Development; Conscience Women of Africa Initiative; Diaspora Advocacy for a New Dawn Initiative in 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 in Eha-Amufu; Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission in Nigeria; Global Initiative for African Development; Grassroot Development and Peace Initiative; Grassroot in Advance of Democracy Initiative for Improve Sustainability; Greater People Centre for Gender Advocacy, Youth Empowerment and Education; Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society; 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 (IRD-Nigeria); Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development Foundation; Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria (IEYAN); Intercontinental Leadership Initiative; International Standard Centre for Development; Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons (JIDOP); 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 Initiative; New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative; New Dream for Grassroots Development; NESSACTION; Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre; Nigeria 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 (PUAN); Rightway for Women and Youth in Africa Development Initiative; Rosxywhite Care Foundation; 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.
The foreign observer groups are AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and Nouvel Perspective.
The Commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct the election and assured stakeholders of its commitment to delivering a credible and transparent electoral process.
