INEC Prepares for Critical Ekiti State Governorship Election
Gbenga Sodeinde of Ado Ekiti
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a recent briefing, officials cautioned that the spread of disinformation, fake news, and unverified polling results poses a significant threat to the integrity of the democratic process.
INEC National Chairman Joash Ojo Ampitan made this statement in Ado-Ekiti while discussing the commission’s preparations for the June 20 governorship election. He emphasized that this election will serve as an essential benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of current systems and technologies, as well as security arrangements, prior to the upcoming national elections.
Ampitan underscored the importance of the Ekiti poll, stating that it extends beyond a state election to function as a crucial diagnostic tool for evaluating public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. “This election provides an opportunity to test our systems, assess our readiness, and strengthen trust in the integrity of our electoral process,” he noted.
Despite the optimism surrounding the election, the INEC chairman expressed serious concerns regarding the proliferation of misinformation during the electoral process. He warned that the distribution of false information could erode public trust and escalate tensions. “Entering into this process with bias can weaken the institutions charged with conducting elections,” he cautioned. He reiterated that panic generated on election day is not a legitimate foundation for contesting electoral results.
Ampitan appealed to journalists and media organizations to adhere to professional standards by thoroughly verifying information prior to publication, stressing that responsible reporting is crucial to ensuring the success of elections. To enhance transparency, INEC has refined the accreditation procedures for journalists and election observers, allowing for real-time monitoring and prompt access to verified information.
The commission assured citizens that all election results would undergo meticulous verification before being uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), emphasizing that “accuracy and reliability remain our priorities.” Addressing concerns about potential delays in result transmission, Ampitan explained that uploading is contingent upon completing the necessary matching process and ensuring network availability across various locations.
He pointed out that while results from certain polling units may be ready ahead of schedule, they will only be uploaded after all essential checks have been conducted. “In areas lacking network access, personnel must move to connected regions to facilitate uploads. These delays should not be misconstrued as threats to the integrity of the operation,” he added.
On operational preparedness, Ampitan highlighted the positive outcomes from a mock certification exercise held at select polling stations in Ekiti State, where the Bimodal Voter Verification System (BVAS) successfully authenticated voters within five to seven seconds. Additionally, he announced that backup BVAS devices and technical support teams have been positioned statewide to quickly address any technical challenges that may arise on Election Day.
He assured the media that voting would commence simultaneously at all 2,445 polling stations across the state at 8:30 a.m. INEC has also bolstered coordination efforts with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to guarantee a secure electoral process.
About 469 to 500 polling units identified as vulnerable or located near potential conflict zones are slated for enhanced security measures. “Regardless of an election’s reliability, adequate security is paramount. It is crucial to protect voters, election officials, observers, and media personnel,” he reaffirmed.
Ampitan disclosed that nearly 1,000 candidates nationwide are currently under surveillance for vote-buying and vote manipulation but clarified that INEC lacks arrest powers, which fall to agencies like the DSS, EFCC, and police. He also announced the participation of 14 political parties in the Ekiti governorship election, while voter registration and candidate networking activities were extended until Sunday to promote greater participation and prevent disenfranchisement.
He highlighted the dangers associated with disinformation by recalling the previous election’s incidents where outdated videos and misleading content triggered panic both locally and internationally. Ampitan cited instances where errors in the matching process led to discrepancies in polling unit tallies, noting that INEC’s validation mechanisms effectively identified and rectified these mistakes before they compromised the integrity of the results.
“That was a one-in-a-thousand vote unit. We identified and corrected the error, ensuring the process remained intact. This demonstrates that our safeguards are functioning effectively,” he said.
Ampitan called on political parties, security services, journalists, and voters to play constructive roles in facilitating peaceful, transparent, and credible elections. “Elections must be peaceful, credible, and timely. All stakeholders bear responsibility for protecting the integrity of the process and reinforcing our democracy,” he asserted.
