FIC Report (Ekiti State) – As 2026 governorship election continues gathering momentum in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Nigerian Police Force, Ekiti State Command, have assured the electorates in the state of their readiness for the June 20 poll, adding that both logistics, training and other security arrangements are in top gear to conduct a free, fair and acceptable election.
Addressing stakeholders on Sunday at a town hall meeting organized by Civil Society Network on Election integrity, tagged: “Ekiti Decides Citizens”, held in Ado-Ekiti, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi who opened the floor of discussion, disclosed that the Commission had completed assessments of Registration Area Centres, super RACs, collation centres, and polling units across the length and breath of Ekiti.
Omoseyindemi who solicited for support and cooperation of all, before, during and after the exercise, reaffirmed that they were fully prepared for the poll.
The INEC boss noted that recruitment and training of adhoc staff are ongoing, and that attention has now shifted to securing sensitive materials and finalising election-day procedures.
The event which was anchored by International Press Centre Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, and in attendance, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade said the meeting was convened to update voters on election preparedness and security ahead of the poll.
Omoseyindemi put the number of registered voters in the state at 1,059,360.
He said INEC was committed to delivering a peaceful, credible, inclusive, transparent, and acceptable election.
On voter access, he said the Commission would deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System to prevent multiple voting and ensure only registered cardholders could vote. Results would be scanned and transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal after collation at polling units, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.
He urged residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, noting that many uncollected PVCs belonged to deceased persons or voters who had relocated or registered multiple times before biometric verification was introduced.
He called on civil society groups to support efforts to update the voter register.
Omoseyindemi said most adhoc staff would be recruited from the National Youth Service Corps and would undergo training and screening to minimise the risk of political interference. He also confirmed that funding for the election had been secured and was being released in tranches.
On security, CP Falade outlined a three-tier security arrangement around polling units to prevent disruption. He said police were working with internal and external partners to protect voters, officials, candidates, and election materials, and announced that over 10,000 officers would be deployed across the state.
Expressing displeasured over the kidnapped of some church worshipers in Ekiti community about 25 days ago, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adeyinka Aribasoye, appealed to the concerned authorities to help in the release of those Christians who were still in captivity of their abductors.
The religious leader urged residents to participate in the election exercise, noting that religious organisations body were encouraging members to view voting as their civic duty as directed by God in obeyance to those in authority.
Others who graced the occasion include representatives of the Youths organ, National Orientation Agency, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, people of disabilities, NGOs, security agencies, the media practitioners, among others.
Arogundade, the convener, emphasised that the town hall engagement would be held continually in the run-up to the election to promote transparency, and to give room to credible, free, fair and acceptable elections in the state and in Nigeria.
Omotola Oluyemisi
AD (I&PR)
31/05/2026.
