Ekiti Poll: INEC declares readiness, urges peaceful conduct as 1.06 million voters prepare to vote

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its full operational, technological and logistical readiness for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, with Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), urging political parties, the media, security agencies and traditional rulers to play their roles in ensuring a peaceful, credible and transparent poll.

Speaking at the Ekiti State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum in Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had concluded all major preparations for the election and was ready to conduct a free, fair and inclusive exercise.

According to him, a total of 1,059,360 registered voters have been cleared to participate in the election across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards and 2,445 polling units. He noted that the figure represents an increase from the 987,647 voters recorded in 2023 following the registration of 66,664 new voters during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

The INEC chairman disclosed that 2,103 cases of double registration were detected and removed through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), further strengthening the integrity of the voters’ register.

He reaffirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed in all polling units as the sole means of voter accreditation, while results from polling units would be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for public access and transparency.

“There will be no bypasses and no exceptions. No PVC, no accreditation and no voting,” he stated.

Amupitan also announced the deployment of assistive devices, including Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses, to ensure persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are not excluded from the electoral process.

On election security, he said INEC had worked closely with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to identify and address potential flashpoints across the state.

He revealed that anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), would be deployed to curb vote-buying and other forms of electoral inducement.

“We shall defend the ballot box from physical violence and fiscal contamination alike,” he said.

The INEC chairman reminded the 13 political parties participating in the election of their commitment to the Peace Accord signed on May 21, warning that the agreement must be reflected in the conduct of party officials, candidates and supporters.

“An accord is only as valuable as the good faith of its signatories. Its principles must be strictly observed at all levels,” he said.

Amupitan further disclosed that the Commission had accredited 91 media organisations deploying 675 journalists, as well as 98 observer groups comprising 96 domestic and two international organisations.

He charged journalists to maintain professionalism, fairness and accuracy in their reports, describing the media as a critical link between the electoral process and the public.

“You are the bridge between the ballot box and the citizenry. Resist sensationalism and reject partisanship,” he urged.

The chairman also announced that INEC would conduct concurrent legislative bye-elections in six states on the same day as the Ekiti governorship election, assuring stakeholders that the Commission’s attention would not be divided.

“There is no dilution of institutional focus. The same operational standards and safeguards will apply across all elections,” he said.

In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said preparations had reached an advanced stage, with non-sensitive materials already received and arrangements for personnel training and deployment nearing completion.

The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Michael Falade, assured residents that security agencies were fully prepared to provide adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials throughout the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of political parties, Ekiti State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon. Adeniji Akinropo Philip, called for peaceful participation and urged INEC to maintain a level playing field for all contestants.

Earlier, Prof. Amupitan met with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, where he sought the support of royal fathers in promoting peaceful elections and voter participation across communities.

He disclosed that INEC’s risk assessment had identified Ado-Ekiti, Effon, Ekiti South West, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Oye local government areas as vulnerable to political thuggery, cult activities and ballot disruption, while Emure, Ikole, Ilejemeje and Moba were flagged for enhanced security monitoring due to kidnapping-related threats.

The INEC chairman urged traditional rulers to mobilise their subjects for PVC collection and early turnout on election day, while also using their influence to discourage vote-buying and electoral violence.

“The Fountain of Knowledge must lead the nation in demonstrating that electoral choices cannot be purchased,” he told the royal fathers.

He reiterated that INEC remained neutral in the election and was committed solely to upholding the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the democratic will of the people of Ekiti State.