In continuation of the readiness assessment visit to Ekiti State ahead of the June 20, 2026 Governorship Election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process. The high-level meeting held in Ado-Ekiti today brought together top electoral officials, security chiefs, and other critical stakeholders to review preparations and strengthen inter-agency collaboration ahead of the poll.
Speaking at the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the gathering as strategic to ensuring effective coordination among security agencies and the Commission. He said INEC had strengthened voter education, logistics planning, training of election personnel, and engagements with political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and the media as part of efforts to guarantee a successful election.
Dr. Omoseyindemi, however, identified key challenges threatening the electoral process, including vote buying, political thuggery, fake news, transportation difficulties, and insecurity in hard-to-reach communities. He stressed that stronger collaboration, professionalism, neutrality, and rapid response mechanisms among ICCES members would be crucial to addressing the challenges and sustaining public confidence in the electoral system.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Micheal, also emphasized the importance of election security, noting that coordinated intelligence sharing and operational synergy among security agencies remain essential for peaceful polls. He warned against misinformation, political violence, and non-compliance with electoral regulations, saying security agencies were fully committed to maintaining law and order before, during, and after the election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan(SAN), disclosed that the Commission had advanced preparations through the configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the recruitment of ad-hoc staff through the INECPRES portal. He added that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the Continuous Voter Registration exercise would soon be distributed across the state’s 177 wards to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised.
The INEC Chairman revealed that risk assessments conducted across Ekiti State identified several flashpoint areas vulnerable to thuggery, kidnapping, cultism, ballot snatching, and vandalism. According to him, 469 polling units located within 500 metres of identified risk zones had been mapped out for special security attention. He also warned against vote buying, stating that the Commission was working closely with the EFCC and ICPC to arrest and prosecute offenders involved in electoral inducement.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner in charge of Planning, Monitoring and Strategy Committee (PMSC), Dr. Ken Ukeagu, said electoral risk management assessments carried out in April provided critical insights into potential threats and security needs ahead of the election. He recommended increased patrols in border communities and stronger collaboration among ICCES members at the local government level, expressing confidence that sustained synergy among stakeholders would ensure a successful governorship election in Ekiti State. Me l
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