As Ekiti State prepares for its crucial governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has reassured residents that every necessary arrangement has been put in place to ensure a transparent, credible, peaceful and inclusive electoral process. The assurance was given by the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, who expressed confidence in the commission’s preparedness ahead of the exercise.
According to the electoral body, virtually all logistics and administrative preparations have been completed, with only the distribution and deployment of sensitive election materials remaining before voting begins. The commission stated that election officials have been adequately trained and the technology required for the exercise has been tested and prepared for deployment.
Special emphasis is also being placed on inclusivity, particularly for persons living with disabilities. INEC disclosed that assistive materials, including Braille guides and other supportive facilities, have been made available to ensure that every eligible voter can participate in the democratic process without barriers. Civil society organisations have also been mobilising vulnerable groups and encouraging wider participation. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The electoral commissioner highlighted concerns surrounding voter apathy, noting that while Ekiti has more than 1.05 million registered voters, the actual turnout will depend largely on the number of people who have collected their Permanent Voter Cards and are willing to participate on election day. He stressed that democracy thrives when citizens actively engage in choosing their leaders rather than remaining passive observers.
INEC also called on political parties and candidates to intensify efforts to mobilise supporters peacefully and responsibly. The commission maintained that politicians bear a significant responsibility in encouraging citizens to vote and should focus on presenting their programmes and convincing voters through constructive engagement instead of inflammatory rhetoric.
Addressing security concerns, the commissioner said intelligence reports, where necessary, would be communicated to relevant security agencies, while expressing optimism that Ekiti residents would conduct themselves peacefully throughout the election period.
The commission further assured voters that modern electoral technology, especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, has significantly reduced opportunities for manipulation and irregularities that characterised previous elections. Citizens were urged to trust the process and participate actively, as their votes would count.
With the election drawing near, INEC says the credibility of the exercise will depend not only on the commission itself but also on the cooperation of political actors, security agencies and, most importantly, the electorate. The message to Ekiti residents is clear: come out, vote peacefully and play your part in strengthening democracy.
