By Gabriel Ameh
INEC Declares Full Readiness for Ekiti Governorship Election, Mobilises Stakeholders for Peaceful Poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced its full operational, technological and logistical readiness for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the declaration during the Ekiti State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum held in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, June 11, where he met with political parties, security agencies, media organisations, civil society groups and traditional rulers.
According to the Commission, a total of 1,059,360 eligible voters have been cleared to participate in the election following the successful conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The figure represents an increase from the 987,647 registered voters recorded in 2023.
Prof. Amupitan disclosed that 66,664 new voters were added to the register, while 2,103 cases of double registration were detected and removed through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
He stated that voting will take place across 16 local government areas, 177 wards and 2,445 polling units, with all polling centres expected to commence accreditation and voting simultaneously by 8:30 a.m. on election day.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed in all polling units as the only approved method for voter accreditation. He added that polling unit results would be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for public access and transparency.
“No PVC, no accreditation and no voting,” he said, stressing that the Commission would not permit any exceptions to the established electoral guidelines.
To enhance inclusiveness, INEC said it would provide Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses to assist persons living with disabilities and persons with albinism during the voting process.
On election security, Prof. Amupitan revealed that INEC and the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) had conducted extensive risk assessments across the state. He noted that security agencies had identified potential threats, including political violence, ballot disruption and vote-buying in some locations.
The Chairman disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would work alongside security agencies to curb vote-buying and other forms of electoral malpractice.
He also urged all 13 political parties participating in the election to abide by the Peace Accord signed on May 21, 2026, warning that commitments made on paper must be reflected in the conduct of party officials, candidates and supporters.
Addressing media practitioners, Prof. Amupitan announced that INEC had accredited 91 media organisations deploying 675 journalists to cover the election. He called on journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and fairness in their reporting.
The Commission also accredited 98 observer groups, comprising 96 domestic organisations and two international bodies, to independently monitor the electoral process.
Prof. Amupitan further disclosed that INEC would conduct legislative bye-elections in six states on the same day as the Ekiti governorship election, assuring stakeholders that the Commission had sufficient capacity to manage all electoral activities simultaneously without compromising standards.
Speaking at the forum, Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said preparations had reached an advanced stage. He confirmed that non-sensitive materials had already arrived in the state, while training for election personnel and final logistics arrangements were ongoing.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade, assured residents that security agencies would remain professional, neutral and fully committed to protecting voters, election officials and candidates before, during and after the election.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti State, Hon. Adeniji Akinropo Philip, called on political parties to conduct their campaigns and election activities peacefully while urging INEC to maintain a level playing field for all contestants.
Earlier in the day, Prof. Amupitan met with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, where he sought the support of royal fathers in promoting peaceful elections, voter participation and compliance with the Peace Accord.
The INEC Chairman also disclosed that security assessments had identified Ado-Ekiti, Effon, Ekiti South West, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Oye as areas vulnerable to political violence and ballot disruption, while Emure, Ikole, Ilejemeje and Moba were marked for heightened security surveillance due to kidnapping concerns.
He appealed to traditional rulers to mobilise communities for peaceful participation, encourage residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and reject vote-buying.
Prof. Amupitan assured the royal fathers and the people of Ekiti State that INEC remains neutral and committed to conducting a credible, transparent and peaceful election.
“Our allegiance is to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the sovereign will of the people,” he said.
