Ekiti 2026: INEC Distributes PVCs From June 4, Police To Deploy 11,000 Personnel

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set June 4 to 11 for the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible voters in Ekiti State ahead of the June 20 election.

The electoral body also assured that it would be guided solely by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act in conducting the poll.

This is just as indications emerged that no fewer than 11,000 policemen would be deployed to the state for the election.

Speaking during a town hall meeting organised by the Civil Network on Election Integrity in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, stated that the commission remained impartial and transparent, adding that measures had been put in place to ensure a peaceful, credible, inclusive, and transparent poll acceptable to all.

He said key highlights of the current level of INEC preparedness include the completion of the assessment and inspection of Registration Area Centres (RACs), Super RACs, polling units, and collation centres across the state.

He added that the recruitment process for ad hoc staff and training programmes for electoral officers and support personnel had commenced, while continuous engagement with political parties, candidates, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, transport unions, youth groups, women groups, and the media was being sustained.

Omoseyindemi added that the Register of Voters had been presented to political parties, while voter education and sensitisation campaigns across all local government areas were being intensified.

“Deployment plans for sensitive and non-sensitive election materials have been developed to ensure timely distribution throughout the state, while preparations for the effective deployment and testing of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) are ongoing to guarantee credible voter accreditation on election day.

“Security coordination through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has been strengthened to ensure adequate security before, during, and after the election. Collaboration with security agencies on election security mapping and protection of critical electoral infrastructure, as well as engagements with the media and civil society groups on voter enlightenment, fact-checking, and countering misinformation, are ongoing,” he said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, who noted that the state was safe and conducive for the conduct of the poll, said the police were fully prepared and ready for the election.

Falade, who noted that police officers would be mobilised to secure the process and maintain law and order, added that security at border areas was being fortified.

He said, “At Ikole, Oke-Ako, Iye Ekiti, and Moba, army and mobile police bases have been mounted. All these areas and others have been taken care of. Since May 1, there has been no case of kidnapping. We are prepared and we shall record a peaceful and credible poll.

“I want to solicit your support and cooperation. We must be vigilant and security-conscious. Report any suspicious person you see around your environment to the police and other security agencies. When you see something, say something, but do not engage in propaganda, hate speech, and the likes. Let us all work together for the success of the polls because security is everybody’s responsibility.”

Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Mrs Rachael Babalola and Dr Gbenga Adesuloro expressed concern over the inability of some eligible women voters to obtain their PVCs, the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in accessing voting points, poverty, and fears over the safety of voters in Ikole, Moba, Ilejemeje, and other border areas of the state, saying such factors could adversely affect the process.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of the Election Observation Hub has called on security agencies to strictly implement the proposed “Operation Order 08/2026” to tackle rising kidnapping and other security concerns ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The group particularly called for intelligence-led security deployment in the local government areas of Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje, which border other states and have been identified as high-risk flashpoints in the pre-election period.

This was contained in a Pre-Election Assessment Report presented to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.

Reading the report on behalf of the Election Observation Hub, Dr Akin Akingbulu and Brenda Anugwom said the systematic risk mapping conducted by the civil society coalition classified Ado-Ekiti as vulnerable to urban violence, while Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje were flagged over kidnapping exposure and insecurity risks.

The report disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force had already developed “Operation Order 08/2026,” which proposes the deployment of 9,780 conventional police officers, 25 units of mobile policemen, 200 patrol vehicles, 12 Armoured Personnel Carriers, and three helicopters, supported by other security agencies.

“The Election Observation Hub calls on all stakeholders to act decisively to consolidate the gains identified in this report and address the outstanding risks. The Hub’s recommendations are prioritised by urgency. The most critical actor at this stage is INEC, whose operational failure would cascade across all other areas.

“To the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): Ensure the timely release and effective utilisation of election funds to complete pending pre-election activities, including the rehabilitation of state and LGA offices, RACs, and collation centres.

“Configure and stress-test the BVAS and the IReV to guarantee seamless accreditation, transparent collation, and the credible electronic transmission of results in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

“Activate the INEC Security and Alert Notification System (ISANS) for rapid response, provide raincoats and protective coverings for personnel and materials, and intensify civic and voter education to address apathy and discourage vote trading.

“Implement priority voting and accessibility measures for vulnerable persons, expand the deployment of assistive devices, and improve the collection of gender- and PWD-disaggregated data.

“To security and law enforcement agencies: Execute Operation Order 08/2026 with strict neutrality, professionalism, and intelligence-led deployment, with particular attention to border communities in the northern LGAs of Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje.

“Adopt a proportionate, rights-based approach in addressing vote trading and avoid heavy-handed tactics that could provoke public backlash. Guarantee the safety of voters, journalists, observers, electoral personnel, and election materials throughout the process.

“To political parties and candidates: Sign and uphold the Peace Accord. Commit publicly to issue-based campaigning, reject vote buying, intimidation, and the deployment of thugs, and accept credible electoral outcomes.

“Resolve internal party disputes through lawful institutional and judicial channels, and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or the mobilisation of primordial sentiments.”

The Election Observation Hub comprises the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), ElectHER, the International Press Centre, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre, and Yiaga Africa.