From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared full operational, technological and logistical readiness for the Ekiti State Governorship Election on Saturday, 20 June 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti during a final stakeholders’ Forum.
He said, the voter register stands at 1,059,360 after 66,664 new registrants were added through CVR Phases I and II. ABIS removed 2,103 cases of double registration.
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Elections will hold across 16 LGAs, 177 wards and 2,445 polling units, with all units scheduled to open at 8:30 a.m.
Professor Amupitan added that, BVAS will be used in all units as the only tool for accreditation, while results will be uploaded directly to IReV for public viewing.
“No PVC, No Accreditation, and No Voting. There will be no bypasses, and there will be no exceptions. Braille guides and magnifying glasses have been provided for voters with disabilities”, he said.
On security, Prof. Amupitan said ICCES threat mapping identified Ado-Ekiti, Effon, Ekiti South West, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Oye as prone to thuggery and ballot disruption, while Emure, Ikole, Ilejemeje and Moba face kidnapping risks. He said 469 polling units near these areas will get reinforced deployment. EFCC and ICPC will also monitor for vote-buying.
He urged all 13 parties to honour the 21 May Peace Accord beyond ceremony. “An accord is only as valuable as the good faith of its signatories,” he said. He also charged 675 journalists and 98 observer groups to remain accurate and neutral.
Ekiti REC Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi confirmed non-sensitive materials are in place and training is ongoing. While the Police Commissioner (CP), of the State, Michael Falade, pledged impartial security.
During the INEC Chairman’s visit to the State, Prof. Amupitan equally met with traditional rulers, asking them to mobilise communities for peace and early voting. Noting that bye-elections in six other states will follow the same standards on 20 June.
