The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is fully prepared and ready to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent governorship election in Ekiti State on June 20, 2026.
The electoral body also announced the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Peter Obafemi, in the election following a Supreme Court judgment, bringing the total number of participating political parties to 14.
INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital during an election stakeholders’ meeting held ahead of the poll.
At the meeting, Amupitan announced the extension of the collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs) to June 14, saying only 80% of the newly registered voters have collected theirs so far.
He said the Commission’s preparations are anchored on transparency, accountability and strict adherence to constitutional provisions.
He said the Commission reviewed its earlier position on the participation of the SDP after the Supreme Court’s ruling and consequently approved the inclusion of the party’s candidate on the ballot.
Other participating parties include: All Progressive Congress (APC), Accord Party, African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party(ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The INEC Chairman described the stakeholders’ forum as a vital democratic platform for assessing the Commission’s readiness and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman also commended political parties and candidates for signing the peace accord on May 21, 2026, but cautioned them against treating the agreement as a mere ceremonial exercise.
He urged party leaders to ensure that the principles of peaceful conduct are observed by their officials, agents and supporters at all levels.
The INEC Chairman also disclosed that a total of 2,077 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are eligible to participate in the election, assuring that the Commission has put measures in place to guarantee their full inclusion in the voting process.
According to him, assistive devices such as Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses will be deployed to enable visually impaired voters, persons with albinism and other categories of persons living with disabilities to exercise their franchise without hindrance.
He noted that inclusivity remains a major component of the Commission’s electoral preparations and reaffirmed that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised on account of disability.
His words, “The issue of intimidation is a very serious concern and we have to discuss it among ourselves. If you have signed the peace accord, this should not be happening.
“Until now, there were 14 political parties published as participating in the election. In view of the Supreme Court decision in SDP’s case, the Commission has reviewed its stand on the participation of the candidature of SDP and has therefore decided to bring the candidate of the SDP onto the ballot for this election.
“The stakeholders’ forum is not just a bureaucratic tradition. It is an essential democratic clearinghouse where the Commission presents its readiness profile to the people whose democratic choices we are constitutionally mandated to protect.
“We are determined to do everything possible to ensure that voting starts on time in all the 2,445 polling units. If elections start early, voting will close early, counting will be done in daylight, results will be declared in daylight, and uploads will also be completed in good time.
“The peace accord must not be treated as a decorative ceremonial exercise. Its principles must be internalized and strictly observed down to party officials, polling agents and grassroots supporters.
“Our goal is to ensure that the election is peaceful, violence-free and credible so that every eligible voter will feel safe to come out and express themselves on election day”.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi said non-sensitive election materials have already been received and properly secured in line with established procedures, while the deployment of sensitive materials is expected to commence next week.
He urged political parties and candidates to conduct peaceful issue-based campaigns in accordance with the law, while calling on security agencies to sustain their commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment before, during and after the election.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade restated that the command is committed to deploying maximum security in ensuring that there’s a violence-free and credible poll.
On his part, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti State, Adeniji Aderopo called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peace and political tolerance as the state prepares for the June 20 governorship election.
The IPAC Chairman said the election should not be viewed as a battle among enemies but as a democratic contest among brothers and sisters seeking to serve the people of the state.
According to him, political leaders must move away from the “winner-takes-all” mentality and promote a culture where all participants feel included in governance and development regardless of electoral outcomes.
