The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented the voter register for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election to political parties participating in the poll, with a call on stakeholders to promote peaceful conduct before, during and after the exercise.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the register in Ado-Ekiti during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the commission as part of activities assessing its readiness for the June 20, 2026 governorship election in the state.
Addressing political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders at the meeting, Amupitan described the presentation of the voter register as a critical step towards ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process.
According to him, the engagement was integral to the successful conduct of the governorship election as it would enable all stakeholders to understand the level of preparedness of the commission and contribute to the credibility of the process.
He noted that the Electoral Act mandates INEC to present the voter register to political parties at least 30 days before an election, stressing that the register remains the foundation upon which credible elections are built.
The INEC chairman explained that the register was carefully compiled following rigorous data collection, verification and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Prof. Amupitan disclosed that while Ekiti State had about 988,923 registered voters during the 2023 general election, the Continuous Voter Registration exercise added over 66,000 new voters, bringing the total number of registered voters in the state to 1,054,923.
He urged political parties to thoroughly scrutinise the register and raise any observations through appropriate channels, assuring residents that every valid vote cast during the election would count.
The INEC chairman also appealed to eligible voters to come out en masse to participate in the election, while calling on all stakeholders to prioritise peace and unity throughout the electoral process.
Amupitan reiterated the commission’s zero tolerance for vote buying and other electoral offences, warning that anyone found culpable would be decisively sanctioned in accordance with the law.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner overseeing Ekiti, Ondo and Osun states, Sam Olumekun, described the voter register as the product of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise and a reflection of the commission’s commitment to producing a register that is credible, accurate and acceptable to all stakeholders.
Olumekun assured participants that INEC would remain neutral throughout the election, stressing that no ineligible names were allowed into the register after the verification process.
He equally urged political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the integrity of the election.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the presence of the INEC chairman at the engagement demonstrated the commission’s determination to ensure a free, fair and credible election in the state.
Dr Omoseyindemi stated that INEC had continued to make steady progress in collaboration with security agencies and other relevant bodies to guarantee a transparent and widely acceptable governorship poll.
He urged political parties to make effective use of the voter register in preparing for the election, adding that adequate security and logistics arrangements had been put in place for a hitch-free exercise.
According to him, necessary deployment plans for election personnel have been concluded, while all 3,170 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines earmarked for the poll are in perfect working condition.
The REC added that voter education and sensitisation campaigns were ongoing across the state to encourage active participation by the electorate.
He appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, noting that Ekiti State has continued to enjoy a reputation as one of the most peaceful states in the country.
Omoseyindemi said sustaining the peace would require the cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the signing of a peace accord by political parties participating in the governorship election is scheduled to hold on Thursday 21/6/2026.
