INEC Declares Readiness for Ekiti Governorship Poll, Mobilises Stakeholders for Peaceful Election
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared full operational, technological and logistical readiness for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for June 20, 2026, with its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), urging political parties, the media, security agencies and traditional rulers to play active roles in ensuring a peaceful and credible poll.
Speaking at the Ekiti State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, Amupitan said the Commission had completed all critical preparations for the election, stressing that the integrity of the process would be safeguarded through strict adherence to electoral guidelines and the deployment of technology.
He disclosed that Ekiti now has 1,059,360 registered voters, following the addition of 66,664 new registrants through the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, while 2,103 cases of double registration were removed through the Automated Biometric Identification System.
According to him, voting will take place in 2,445 polling units across the state’s 16 local government areas and 177 wards.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be used in all polling units, while results would be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for public access and transparency.“No PVC, No Accreditation, and No Voting. There will be no bypasses, and there will be no exceptions,” he declared.
Amupitan also highlighted measures to ensure inclusivity, announcing the deployment of Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses to assist persons living with disabilities and persons with albinism.
On election security, he said INEC had collaborated with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to identify and address potential threats, including political violence, ballot disruption and vote-buying. He added that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would support efforts to curb financial inducement during the election.
While commending the 13 political parties that signed a Peace Accord on May 21, 2026, the INEC Chairman warned that the commitment must translate into peaceful conduct by candidates, party officials and supporters.
“An accord is only as valuable as the good faith of its signatories. The Peace Accord must not be treated as a decorative ceremonial exercise,” he said.
Amupitan further revealed that INEC had accredited 91 media organisations deploying 675 journalists and approved 98 observer groups comprising domestic and international organisations to monitor the election. He urged journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy and fairness in their coverage.
“You are the bridge between the ballot box and the citizenry. Resist the temptation of sensationalism and reject the inducement of partisanship,” he told media practitioners.
The Chairman also disclosed that legislative bye-elections would be conducted simultaneously in six states on the same day, assuring stakeholders that the Commission had adequate capacity to manage all elections without compromising standards.
Earlier, 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 ongoing for the deployment of sensitive materials and election personnel.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade, assured voters of adequate security and pledged that security agencies would remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti State, Hon. Adeniji Akinropo Philip, called on political parties to embrace peace and inclusiveness while urging INEC to maintain a level playing field for all contestants.
Ahead of the stakeholders’ meeting, Amupitan met with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, where he sought the support of royal fathers in promoting peaceful elections, voter mobilisation and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The INEC Chairman revealed that risk assessments had identified Ado-Ekiti, Effon, Ekiti South West, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Oye local government areas as vulnerable to political thuggery and ballot disruption, while Emure, Ikole, Ilejemeje and Moba required heightened vigilance due to kidnapping threats.
He urged traditional rulers to use their influence to discourage vote-buying and encourage voter participation, stressing that INEC remained committed to neutrality and constitutional responsibility.
“The Fountain of Knowledge must lead the nation in demonstrating that electoral choices cannot be purchased,” he told the royal fathers, assuring them that the Commission’s only allegiance was to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the will of the people of Ekiti State.
