INEC Ekiti governorship election readiness confirmed as Amupitan assures full logistics, security, BVAS deployment, and credible poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, declared full operational readiness for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, as Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, reassured stakeholders of a credible, secure, and technology-driven electoral process.
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Prof. Joash Amupitan made the declaration during the Ekiti State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum, where he presented a comprehensive readiness update and outlined the Commission’s operational, technological, and security frameworks ahead of the poll.
The INEC Ekiti governorship election readiness was highlighted with confirmation of a clean and verified voter register containing 1,059,360 registered voters, following Continuous Voter Registration exercises that added over 66,000 new registrants while eliminating more than 2,000 double registrations through biometric verification.
The Commission stated that voting will take place across 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and 2,445 polling units, all scheduled to open simultaneously at 8:30 a.m. on election day.
Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed across all polling units, while results will be transmitted in real time to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency and public confidence.
He issued a firm warning on compliance, stating: “No PVC, no accreditation, and no voting,” stressing that there would be no exceptions to the rule.
The INEC Ekiti governorship election readiness briefing also included provisions for inclusivity, with assistive voting tools such as Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses for persons with disabilities to ensure equal electoral access.
On security, the Commission confirmed close collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), alongside risk mapping that identified areas vulnerable to electoral violence and vote-related disruptions.
Prof. Amupitan also stated that anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, would support efforts to curb vote-buying and financial inducement during the election.
He warned political actors against violating the Peace Accord signed by all 13 participating parties, insisting that its principles must be reflected in actual conduct during the election process.
He further emphasised that the media and observer groups have critical roles to play, with 91 accredited media organisations and 98 observer groups deployed to monitor the electoral process across the state.
Earlier consultations with traditional rulers also formed part of the Commission’s engagements, where INEC urged royal fathers to support peaceful participation, voter mobilisation, and civic responsibility.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade, assured stakeholders of full security deployment and neutrality of all security agencies during the exercise.
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti also called for peace and fairness, urging political actors to prioritise unity and democratic responsibility ahead of the polls.
INEC confirmed that the same operational standards will apply to simultaneous legislative by-elections scheduled across six states, reinforcing its nationwide preparedness for the 2026 electoral cycle.
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Prof. Amupitan concluded by reiterating INEC’s neutrality, stating that the Commission has no candidate in the election and remains committed solely to constitutional principles and the will of the electorate.
