Ekiti 2026: INEC Chairman Reviews Preparations, Assesses Mock Accreditation Exercise

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, on Friday intensified preparations for the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election with a series of strategic engagements aimed at ensuring the successful conduct of the poll scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The Chairman’s activities included a high-level meeting with Electoral Officers (EOs) from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, inspection of the ongoing Mock Accreditation Exercise in Ado-Ekiti and Ise/Orun Local Government Areas, as well as an interactive session with media executives on the Commission’s level of readiness.

During the meeting with Electoral Officers, Prof. Amupitan reviewed preparations across all Local Government Areas and received updates on personnel deployment, logistics arrangements, voter accreditation plans, security coordination and distribution of election materials.

He emphasised the importance of effective planning and seamless execution of election-day operations, urging the Electoral Officers to resolve any outstanding issues before the poll.

Following the meeting, the INEC Chairman visited selected polling units in Ado-Ekiti and Ise/Orun Local Government Areas to monitor the Mock Accreditation Exercise, a key quality assurance process designed to assess the performance and reliability of election technology ahead of Election Day.

Speaking after observing the exercise, Prof. Amupitan expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), noting that the exercise demonstrated the Commission’s preparedness to conduct a smooth and efficient voter accreditation process.

Later, during an interactive session with media executives at the INEC State Office in Ado-Ekiti, the Chairman assured Nigerians that the Commission was fully prepared to deliver a credible, transparent and peaceful governorship election.

He disclosed that Ekiti State has a total of 1,059,360 registered voters, who are expected to cast their ballots across 2,445 polling units, located in 117 wards and the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Prof. Amupitan further revealed that the training of ad hoc staff was nearing completion, while arrangements for the deployment of election materials had been finalised in collaboration with transport unions and security agencies.

According to him, lessons drawn from the mock accreditation exercise reaffirmed the reliability of the Commission’s technological infrastructure and the readiness of election personnel.

The INEC Chairman also reiterated the Commission’s commitment to neutrality throughout the electoral process, assuring stakeholders that the outcome of the election would reflect the genuine wishes of the electorate.

He called on media organisations to support the process through accurate, balanced and responsible reporting, while cautioning against misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining public confidence in the election.

Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s determination to protect the integrity of the electoral process, stressing that every valid vote cast in the election would count.