INEC Intensifies Preparations for Ekiti Governorship Poll, Presents Voter Register to Political Parties

Published By Ayshatu S Rabo On May 20, 2026

INEC Intensifies Preparations for Ekiti Governorship Poll, Presents Voter Register to Political Parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified preparations for the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State as the Commission’s Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, led National Commissioners on a readiness assessment visit to the state and formally presented the Register of Voters to political parties.

Speaking during the stakeholders’ engagement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the visit underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring adequate preparations for a peaceful and credible election.

He disclosed that the Ekiti State office had recorded progress across key areas of election planning and was working closely with security agencies, political parties, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and the media to ensure a transparent and inclusive process.

According to him, the publication and presentation of the voters register complied with provisions of the Electoral Act and reflected the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Omoseyindemi outlined measures already implemented, including assessments of Registration Area Centres (RACs), Super RACs and polling units, expanded voter education campaigns across the 16 local government areas, strengthened logistics arrangements and ongoing inspections of election technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

He added that the Commission was also finalising the recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, deployment of BVAS machines, coordination with security agencies and contingency planning ahead of election day.

Speaking at the event, Supervising National Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, said Ekiti State had consistently demonstrated a record of orderly elections and timely declaration of results.

He explained that the voters register presented to political parties was developed through the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and underwent verification and data-cleaning processes to eliminate duplicate, deceased and ineligible registrants.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan, described the presentation of the register as a significant milestone, noting that seven of the nine activities outlined in the election timetable had already been completed.

He emphasised that an accurate and credible register remained essential to conducting free and fair elections.

According to him, voter registration in Ekiti increased following the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

“We had about 900,000 registered voters in Ekiti State, but as a result of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise, the number has increased to approximately 1,059,360,” he said.

Amupitan assured residents that every valid vote would count and urged political parties to mobilise citizens for active participation in the election process.

He also warned against vote buying and vote trading, describing them as serious offences under the Electoral Act and calling on law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders are prosecuted.

The Director of Voter Registry, Olatunde Olalere, confirmed that the total number of registered voters for the election stands at 1,059,360 after integrating newly registered voters into the existing register.

Meanwhile, Director of ICT, Dr. Lawrence Bayode, highlighted the continued deployment of technological tools such as BVAS and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), describing them as important measures for strengthening election transparency and credibility.

Copies of the Register of Voters were later presented to political parties participating in the election, while the INEC Chairman also met with staff in the state and charged them to intensify preparations for the poll.