Ekiti election will set standard for 2027 polls - INEC chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, said on Thursday that the Ekiti governorship election on June 20 will be a standard for transparency in the 2027 elections.

Mr Amupitan stated that the commission does not support any candidate or political party in the election. He said they are only following the law and respecting the will of the Nigerian people.

He spoke at the Ekiti State Governorship Election Stakeholders Forum. This event was organized by INEC and took place in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

He explained that they have worked out the logistics plan. They are finalizing arrangements with the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This is to ensure smooth movement of personnel and materials.

"Our goal is to activate all 2,445 Polling Units at exactly 8:30 a.m. on Election Day. We have looked at our past field cycles, fixed previous mistakes, and started early-morning distribution plans. The materials are ready, the ad-hoc staff are trained, and our field staff are on schedule," he said.

He gave numbers on registered voters for the election. Mr Amupitan said there are 1,059,360 registered voters. A total of 66,664 new registrants were added to the 2023 Registry Baseline of 987,647.

"For the Statutory Clean-Up: 2,103 double registrations were completely invalidated using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). This clean, legally verified electorate of 1,059,360 will vote across 16 Local Government Areas, covering 117 Registration Areas (Wards), and exactly 2,445 Polling Units.

"To protect the voting process, the Commission is using all its technological tools. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be the only tool for voter identification and accreditation.

"Let me stress that our legal rule is: No PVC, No Accreditation, and No Voting. There will be no exceptions. Also, all polling unit results will be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to ensure public transparency."

On vote buying during the election, Mr Amupitan said, "We are working closely with the EFCC and the ICPC. Personnel on the ground have strict orders to keep our 2,445 polling units safe from vote-buying and financial influence. We will protect the ballot box from violence and corruption."

He talked about areas known for insecurity, adding that the Commission, together with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), has identified every risk. This includes dangers like political thuggery, cultism, and attempts to disrupt voting in known areas of the state.

He mentioned that security forces have received clear orders to deal firmly with anyone who tries to disrupt peace or test the determination of the Commission.

Mr Amupitan promised that the Commission would look into complaints of intimidation and harassment made by opposition parties. This includes reports of voter inducement to collect PVCs.