….As CAN leader expresses displeasures over kidnap members
- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
As 2026 governorship election continues gathering momentum in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Ekiti State Police Comman, have assured the electorates in the state of their readiness for the June 20 poll, adding that both logistics, training and other security arrangements are in top gear to conduct a free, fair and acceptable election.
Addressing stakeholders on Sunday at a town hall meeting organized by Civil Society Network on Election Integrity, was tagged: “Ekiti Decides Citizens”, held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi who opened the floor of discussion disclosed that the commission had completed assessments of Registration Area Centres, super RACs, collation centres, and polling units across the length and breght of Ekiti.
Omoseyindemi who solicted for support and corporation of all and sundaries before , during and after the excercise reaffirmef that they are fully prepared for the poll. “We are well prepared. I’m telling the Ekiti people that we are well prepared for this,” Omoseyindemi said.
The INEC boss noted that recruitment and training of ad hoc staff were ongoing, and that attention had now shifted to securing sensitive materials and finalising election-day procedures.
The event which was anchored by International Press Centre Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, also had in attendance, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, CP Michael Falade and Ms. Rachel Babalola of Women in Trustful. It was convened to update voters on election preparedness and security ahead of the poll.
Omoseyindemi put the number of registered voters in the state at 1,059,360. He said INEC was committed to delivering a peaceful, credible, inclusive, transparent, and acceptable election.
On voter access, he said the commission would deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System to prevent multiple voting and ensure only registered cardholders could vote. Results would be scanned and transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal after collation at polling units, in line with the 2026 Electoral Act.
He urged residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, noting that many uncollected PVCs belonged to deceased persons or voters who had relocated or registered multiple times before biometric verification was introduced. He called on civil society groups to support efforts to update the voter register.
Omoseyindemi said most ad hoc staff would be recruited from the National Youth Service Corps and would undergo training and screening to minimise the risk of political interference. He also confirmed that funding for the election had been secured and was being released in tranches.
On security, CP Falade outlined a three-tier security arrangement around polling units to prevent disruption. He said police were working with internal and external partners to protect voters, officials, candidates, and election materials, and announced that over 10,000 officers would be deployed across the state.
Expressing displeasured over the kidnapped of some church worshipers in Ekiti community about 22 days ago, the chairman of the Ekiti State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adeyinka Aribasoye, appealed to the concerned authorities to help in release of those Christians who are still in captive of their abductors.
The religious leader urged residents to participate in the election excercise, noting that religious organisations body were encouraging members to view voting as their civic duty to perform on election as directed by God Almighty.
“We encourage our members not only to vote, but to exercise their civic roles. Gone are the days when Christians saw politics as a dirty game. Voting is your right; if you fail to vote, you fail to take part in deciding the next leader,” Aribasoye submitted.
Others who graced the occasion includes; reps of the Youths organ, National Orientation Agency, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, people of disabilities, NGOs, security agencies and the media practitioners, among others.
Arogundade emphasized that the town hall engagement would be held continually in the run-up to the election to promote transparency, and to give room to have credible, free, fair and acceptable elections in the state and Nigeria in general.
