The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared full operational, technological, and logistical readiness for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 20 June 2026. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, personally led a final pre-election stakeholders’ forum in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, 11 June 2026, to review preparations and assign responsibilities to political parties, security agencies, media, and civil society. The event underscored INEC’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election.
Prof. Amupitan presented a comprehensive readiness profile, highlighting that the Commission has completed a clean, legally verified Register of Voters with 1,059,360 registered citizens. This represents an increase from the 2023 figure of 987,647, following the successful addition of 66,664 new registrants during Phases I and II of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). The Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) has also invalidated 2,103 cases of double registration, strengthening the integrity of the voter roll.
Voters will cast their ballots across 16 Local Government Areas, 177 Wards, and 2,445 Polling Units, with all units set to open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on Election Day. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used exclusively for voter authentication in every polling unit, and results will be transmitted in real time to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for public verification. The Chairman reiterated the strict rule: “No PVC, No Accreditation, and No Voting,” with no exceptions allowed.
INEC has also introduced assistive technologies, including Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses, to ensure equitable access for persons with disabilities. Security measures are robust, with detailed threat mapping conducted in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). Specific areas such as Ado-Ekiti, Effon, Ikere, and Oye have been flagged for elevated risks of political thuggery and ballot disruption, while Emure, Ikole, and Moba face asymmetric threats like kidnapping. A total of 469 polling units within 500 metres of these hotspots will receive synchronized inter-agency protection.
The EFCC and ICPC have been deployed to combat vote-buying and financial inducements. Prof. Amupitan emphasized that the ballot box must be protected from both physical violence and fiscal contamination. He also praised the Peace Accord signed by all 13 political parties on 21 May 2026, urging them to uphold its principles in practice, not just in ceremony.
INEC has accredited 91 media organizations, deploying 675 journalists, and 98 observer groups, including 96 domestic and two international organizations. The Chairman urged the media to report with accuracy and professionalism, while observers were charged to remain neutral and factual. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that non-sensitive materials are already in place, with sensitive materials to be deployed the following week.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade, assured stakeholders of full security deployment and impartiality. Ekiti State IPAC Chairman, Hon. Adeniji Akinropo Philip, called for peaceful conduct and a level playing field. Earlier, Prof. Amupitan met with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, enlisting their moral authority to promote peace and mobilize voters. He stressed that INEC remains neutral, with allegiance only to the Constitution and the people’s will.
The Ekiti election will coincide with legislative bye-elections in six other states, and INEC assured that the same rigorous standards will apply nationwide. The Commission’s efforts reflect a national commitment to credible elections, setting a precedent for future polls.
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