The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over potential threats such as vote buying, political violence, misinformation, and logistical setbacks ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
According to a statement on INEC’s X handle on Friday, May 22, the warning was issued during a preparedness review meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.
The session brought together electoral officials, security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, and other stakeholders to assess readiness for the poll.
The Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the commission had intensified preparations to deliver a credible election but noted that several challenges could still affect the process.
He listed vote buying, political thuggery, fake news, transport difficulties, and insecurity in remote communities as major risks to the election.
“Vote buying, political thuggery, fake news, transportation difficulties, and insecurity in hard-to-reach communities remain key threats to the electoral process,” he said.
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Omoseyindemi explained that INEC had expanded voter education campaigns, improved logistics planning, trained election officials, and engaged political parties, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and the media to boost preparedness.
“We have strengthened voter education, logistics planning, training of election personnel, and engagements with stakeholders to guarantee a successful election,” he added.
He stressed that cooperation among electoral stakeholders and security agencies would be essential in preventing disruptions and ensuring public confidence in the electoral process.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Micheal, also assured that security agencies were fully prepared to maintain order before, during, and after the election.
He emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and coordination among agencies, warning that acts capable of undermining the process would not be tolerated.
“We are fully committed to maintaining law and order before, during, and after the election,” he said, adding that misinformation, violence, and electoral malpractice would be decisively tackled.
The meeting ended with a joint commitment by INEC and security stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and deliver a peaceful, transparent, and credible governorship election in Ekiti State.