Countdown to D-Day: INEC Primed for Ekiti Governorship and Multi-State Bye-Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its full preparedness to conduct the series of governorship and bye-elections scheduled for Saturday. This comprehensive electoral exercise includes the crucial Ekiti State Governorship Election, alongside several significant bye-elections across various federal and state constituencies and senatorial districts. Specifically, bye-elections are slated for Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State, Zuru State Constituency in Kebbi State, Ondo South Senatorial District in Ondo State, Rivers South East Senatorial District in Rivers State, Nasarawa North Senatorial District in Nasarawa State, and Enugu North Senatorial District in Enugu State.

Wilfred Ifogah, INEC’s Deputy Director of Publicity and Voter Education, affirmed the Commission’s robust measures implemented to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, guaranteeing free, fair, and credible elections. Speaking from Abuja, Ifogah highlighted the extensive training and retraining programs conducted for both permanent staff and ad hoc personnel. These programs focused on crucial aspects such as emergency handling, secure management of sensitive election materials, and strict adherence to established electoral guidelines. This meticulous approach aims to proactively prevent any form of electoral malpractice.

Ifogah emphasized INEC's commitment to creating an environment conducive to democratic participation, stating, "The Commission has done its best to ensure elections are conducted in an atmosphere that guarantees free and fair participation, where every eligible voter will be allowed to cast his or her vote without any hindrance." To reinforce this commitment, security agencies are being strategically deployed to polling units and Registration Area Centres (RACs). RACs will serve as secure hubs for electoral officials and materials before their deployment to assigned polling units. Electoral officials have also received explicit directives to arrive at their designated polling units by 7:30 AM, ensuring that voting commences promptly at 8:30 AM.

Regarding voter participation, particularly in Ekiti State, the INEC spokesman lauded the impressive turnout for Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) collection. He attributed this success to the Commission's intensified voter sensitisation campaigns, expressing an intention to leverage this achievement for preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ifogah also issued a call to political parties, urging them to counsel their members against any actions that could incite violence or disrupt the peaceful voting process at polling units.

Further details from INEC, released in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, revealed significant progress in PVC collection for Ekiti State. A total of 1,028,929 PVCs had been collected across the state in anticipation of Saturday’s governorship election. This figure represents an impressive 97.1 percent of registered voters and marks a slight increase compared to the collection rates recorded in 2023. The number of registered voters in Ekiti also saw an increase, from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026, following the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on May 15 and a subsequent thorough clean-up of the voters’ register. The 2026 collection figure notably surpasses the 958,052 PVCs collected in 2023, which represented a 97.0 percent collection rate.

The Commission also recalled that the PVC collection exercise, initially slated to conclude on June 11, was extended to June 14. This extension was decided after comprehensive consultations with stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti, demonstrating INEC's responsiveness to public needs. For applications concerning the replacement of lost, damaged, or defaced voter cards, INEC confirmed receiving 14,406 applications within the approved timeframe, all of which were processed, and most replacement PVCs have already been collected.

While acknowledging plans to introduce downloadable copies of lost, damaged, or defaced voter cards, INEC explained that this technological enhancement could not be fully implemented for the Ekiti election due to incomplete technology infrastructure. However, the Commission anticipates that this innovative option will become available for future electoral exercises, specifically mentioning the Osun Governorship Election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.

In concluding its remarks, INEC extended its gratitude to traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties, and members of the media for their invaluable support in voter mobilisation efforts and encouraging citizens to collect their PVCs. The Commission reiterated that all PVCs for eligible applicants, including those who requested transfers or replacements, were printed and made accessible. Finally, INEC urged all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to participate peacefully in the upcoming election and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible poll for the residents of Ekiti State.