By Ayodele Abere
The Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] on Tuesday presented the updated register of voters for Ekiti State, putting the total number of registered voters at 1,059,660 ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, who led the presentation in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday described the event as a momentous day and a fulfillment of the commission’s statutory duty to publish and present the voters’ register 30 days before the election, as required by Section 9 of the Electoral Act.
“This moment signifies a crucial step in reinforcing the integrity, transparency, and credibility of our electoral process. The voters’ register is the foundation upon which free, fair, and credible elections are built.”
According to the chairman, the register increased by about 66,000 from the 900,000 voters recorded in the 2023 election, following the first and second phases of the Continuous Voter Registration [CVR] exercise. He said INEC stopped the CVR in Ekiti to focus on the election, in line with the Electoral Act.
Of the 68,000 new registrants captured during the CVR, Amupitan said over 2,000 were removed after the Automated Fingerprint Identification System [AFIS] detected multiple registrations. “We like to have a credible and a reliable register,” he said.
The chairman said seven out of nine activities on the election timetable have been completed, with only the end of campaigns on June 18 and the opening of polls on June 28 remaining. He assured that INEC was ready to deliver a credible poll.
Amupitan cited the 2022 Anambra and FCT elections under his watch as examples of INEC’s improved performance, noting that 93 percent of results were transmitted to the IReV portal by 7 p.m. on election day. He urged voters to turn out en masse and assured that their votes will count.
He also announced that political parties would sign a peace accord calling it a social contract to ensure campaigns focus on issues and remain peaceful. He warned against vote buying, describing it as a criminal offense under the Electoral Act and urging the EFCC, ICPC, and police to arrest and prosecute offenders.
“INEG cannot do it alone. It is a shared responsibility. It is the responsibility of political parties to mobilize registered voters to come out and vote on the day of election.” Amupitan said.
However, the Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hon. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the state office had made steady progress in preparations and was working with security agencies, political parties, traditional institutions, civil society, and the media to ensure a peaceful, credible, and inclusive election.
She said INEC had assessed and verified Registration Area Centers, Super RACs, and collation centers, intensified engagement with security agencies, and commenced training for electoral officers and ad hoc staff. Voter education and sensitization have also been expanded across the 16 local government areas.
Omoseyindemi said remaining activities include final recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, testing of BVAS and other election technology, stakeholder sensitization, coordination with security and transport providers, and distribution of sensitive materials under security escort.
“Ekiti State is known for political maturity and democratic participation, and we must all work together to sustain that reputation before, during, and after the election,” he said.
The presentation was witnessed by national commissioners and stakeholders, including political parties and civil society groups.
