The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have intensified preparations for the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, with renewed commitments to tackle vote buying, political violence, and other threats to a credible electoral process.
The resolve was reaffirmed during a high-level readiness assessment meeting held in Ado-Ekiti under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), bringing together top electoral officials, security chiefs, and key stakeholders.
Speaking at the meeting, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the gathering as strategic to strengthening collaboration among security agencies and the electoral body ahead of the poll.
According to him, INEC has intensified voter education campaigns, logistics planning, training of ad hoc staff, and consultations with political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and the media to ensure a peaceful and transparent election.
Omoseyindemi, however, identified several challenges that could threaten the integrity of the exercise, including vote buying, political thuggery, fake news, transportation difficulties, and insecurity in remote communities.
He stressed the need for professionalism, neutrality, and swift response mechanisms among ICCES members to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Micheal, underscored the importance of coordinated intelligence sharing and operational synergy among security agencies to guarantee peaceful polls.
The police commissioner warned against the spread of misinformation, electoral violence, and violations of electoral laws, assuring residents that security agencies were fully prepared to maintain law and order before, during, and after the election.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by INEC and security stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Ekiti State.
