Votes Will Count, Says INEC Chairman Amupitan Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Josh Amupitan, has assured Nigerians, particularly eligible voters in Ekiti State, that every valid vote cast during the June 20 governorship election will count.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Wednesday while leading National Commissioners of the Commission on a readiness assessment visit to the state ahead of the election.

During the visit, the INEC chairman formally presented the register of voters to political parties participating in the poll, describing the exercise as a major milestone in the electoral process.

According to him, the publication and presentation of the register was in compliance with the Electoral Act, which mandates the Commission to release the register to political parties at least 30 days before an election.

“The Electoral Act requires that 30 days before the election, the register of voters must be published and presented to political parties,” he said.

Amupitan described the occasion as unique and significant, noting that it was rare for almost all National Commissioners of INEC to accompany the chairman on such an official engagement.

He disclosed that seven out of the nine major activities listed in the election timetable had already been successfully completed, while campaigns by political parties would officially end on June 18.

The INEC chairman described the voters register as the foundation for free, fair and credible elections, stressing that the integrity of the register remained critical to ensuring that every eligible voter had the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
He explained that the register was compiled after what he called rigorous data collection, verification and cleaning exercises.
Amupitan further revealed that the number of registered voters in Ekiti State rose significantly following the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
“We had about 900,000 registered voters in Ekiti State, but as a result of the Continuous Voter Registration, the number has increased to about 1,059,360,” he stated.

He added that conducting credible elections was a collective responsibility, urging political parties and stakeholders to support the Commission’s efforts.

“We would like to have a credible and reliable register. It is the responsibility of INEC to conduct free, credible and transparent elections, but INEC cannot do it alone. It is a shared responsibility,” he said.

The INEC chairman also urged political parties to mobilise voters peacefully and responsibly, assuring residents that their votes would be protected and counted.

“I want to assure you that your vote will count,” he reiterated, citing previous elections where results were transmitted promptly through the commission’s Result Viewing Portal.

Amupitan, however, expressed concern over the rising cases of vote buying and vote trading, describing them as serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

“This is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act,” he warned, calling on agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC and the Police to ensure offenders were arrested and prosecuted.

In his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period.

Omoseyindemi said the successful conduct of the election depended largely on strict compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

“We encourage political parties in the state to make effective and lawful use of the register in their preparation for the election,” he said.

He added that the presentation of the register reflected the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness in the electoral process.