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ABUJA – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared itself fully prepared for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for June 20, 2026, assuring stakeholders that all operational, technological and logistical arrangements have been concluded while warning that security agencies are on alert to address identified threats to the electoral process.
The assurance came from the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, during the Ekiti State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum held in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, nine days before the poll.
Addressing political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and members of the media, the INEC chairman presented what he described as the Commission’s comprehensive readiness profile and reiterated its commitment to conducting a transparent, credible and peaceful election.
Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the Commission had completed the verification of the state’s voter register, which now contains 1,059,360 registered voters, up from 987,647 recorded in 2023.
According to him, the increase followed the successful registration of 66,664 new voters during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
He added that the Automated Biometric Identification System had successfully invalidated 2,103 cases of double registration, further strengthening the credibility of the register.
The election will take place across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas and 2,445 polling units, all of which, he said, are expected to commence accreditation and voting simultaneously at 8:30 a.m.
On election technology, the INEC chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), insisting that strict compliance with electoral guidelines would be enforced.
“No PVC, No Accreditation, and No Voting,” Prof. Amupitan stated. “There will be no bypasses, and there will be no exceptions.”
He also announced the deployment of assistive devices, including Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses, to ensure greater participation by persons living with disabilities and persons with albinism.
Describing inclusivity as a core principle of the electoral process, he said equity in voting access was “a necessity, not an afterthought.”
A significant portion of the chairman’s address focused on election security. He revealed that INEC, working with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), had conducted extensive threat assessments across the state and identified areas vulnerable to electoral violence and other criminal activities.
According to him, Ado-Ekiti, Effon, Ekiti South West, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Oye local government areas were assessed as susceptible to political thuggery, cult-related activities and attempts to disrupt voting processes.
Meanwhile, Emure, Ikole, Ilejemeje and Moba local government areas were marked for heightened security attention due to kidnapping threats and other security concerns.
The chairman disclosed that 469 polling units located within a 500-metre radius of identified risk locations had been mapped for enhanced security coverage.
He further revealed that anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, would participate in efforts to curb vote-buying and financial inducement during the election.
“We shall defend the ballot box from physical violence and fiscal contamination alike,” he declared.
Prof. Amupitan also referenced the Peace Accord signed by the 13 political parties participating in the election on May 21, urging political actors to demonstrate genuine commitment to its provisions.
“An accord is only as valuable as the good faith of its signatories,” he said. “The Peace Accord must not be treated as a decorative ceremonial exercise. Its principles must be forcefully internalised and strictly observed down to your party officials, polling agents, and grassroots supporters.”
The INEC chairman announced that 91 media organisations deploying 675 journalists had been accredited to cover the election, while 98 observer groups comprising 96 domestic and two international organisations would monitor the process.
He urged journalists to uphold professional standards and avoid actions capable of undermining public confidence in the election.
“You are the bridge between the ballot box and the citizenry,” Prof. Amupitan said. “Resist the temptation of sensationalism, reject the inducement of partisanship, and decline every invitation to become an instrument of electoral mischief.”
The chairman assured observer groups of the Commission’s cooperation but urged them to remain neutral and operate strictly within established guidelines.
Beyond the governorship election, he disclosed that INEC would simultaneously conduct legislative bye-elections in six states, including senatorial elections in Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East and Ondo South, as well as constituency elections in Kano and Kebbi states.
“There is no dilution of institutional focus,” he assured stakeholders. “The exact same rigorous operational standards, technological safeguards, and stringent security arrangements deployed for the Ekiti Governorship Election will be uniformly applied across these concurrent bye-elections.”
In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that preparations had reached an advanced stage.
He said non-sensitive materials had already been received and secured, while the deployment of sensitive materials and training of election personnel were progressing according to schedule.
Omoseyindemi added that the Commission had maintained continuous engagement with security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and the media as part of efforts to guarantee a peaceful election.
The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Michael Falade, also assured stakeholders that security agencies would remain professional, impartial and fully committed to protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the process.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council 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 members of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, where he sought the support of traditional institutions in promoting peace and voter participation across communities.
During the meeting, he urged royal fathers to use their influence to encourage compliance with the Peace Accord and mobilise citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the election.
“The Fountain of Knowledge must lead the nation in demonstrating that electoral choices cannot be purchased,” he told the monarchs while speaking against vote-buying.
He also reassured traditional rulers that the Commission remained neutral in the contest.
“INEC has no candidate in the election,” he said, reiterating that the Commission’s allegiance was solely to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the will of the electorate.
The Ekiti governorship election is widely regarded as one of the most closely watched off-cycle governorship contests in the country and is expected to provide an important test of electoral administration, security coordination and technological deployment ahead of future elections across Nigeria.