Ekiti 2026: Vote traders, buyers must be prosecuted – INEC Chairman tasks security agents

…1,059,360 voters to elect next Ekiti governor

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan has asked security agents not to spare anybody found to be engaged in vote buying or vote trading, saying such persons should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Prof. Amupitan who spoke on Wednesday while presenting register of voters to political parties in Ekiti State ahead of the June 20 off-cycle governorship election in the state, said vote buying has been one of the major problem facing the nation’s electoral process.

He also said that about 1,059,360 eligible voters will participate in the Ekiti Governorship elections and asked political parties to scrutinise the register and make their observations known within the window allowed by law.

“I also want to reiterate that one of the major challenges and constraints of our electoral process is the issue of vote buying or vote trading. This is a criminal offence under the electoral acts and it is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies, especially the EFCC, the ICPC and the police, to ensure that those that are involved in it are arrested and promptly prosecuted.

“It is the responsibility of INEC to prosecute. Therefore, we urge all political parties to please refrain from this issue of vote trading because it is a big minus to the electoral process in Nigeria. So, on these notes, I want to thank all of you for your attention and to assure you that together we will build democracy in Nigeria and Nigeria will be better for it,” Amupitan said.

He described the presentation of the voter register as a momentous day because “we are performing a constitutional and a statutory duty of the publication and presentation of the voters’ register for Ekiti State preparatory to the off-cycle governorship election that will be coming up in a month’s time.

He said, “The electoral act requires that 30 days before the election, the register of voters must be published and presented to the political parties. So, it is with great sense of responsibility and a sense of commitment that I stand before you today. This moment signifies a crucial step in reinforcing the integrity, the transparency, and credibility of our electoral process”.

He added, “I want to assure you that we have satisfied all the provisions in Section 9 of the Electoral Act by updating and even including the newly registered voters together with the previous records that we have that in the 2023 election, we had about 900,000 voters registered in Ekiti State.

“But as a result of the continuous voters’ registration, the number has increased to about 1,059,660, which represents an addition of about 66,000 additional new voters.

“This is encouraging, even though we had expected more numbers from those that are eligible to vote. Today, we are very happy and pleased to assure you that the Register was developed through careful collaboration with relevant stakeholders, of which the process is still on for this event today, and utilising innovative technology to ensure its reliability and accuracy.

“As political parties, you are here today, and stakeholders, your role in safeguarding the integrity of this process cannot be overstated. We urge you to review the Register diligently and report any discrepancies promptly and adhere strictly to the guidelines provided for the upcoming elections.

“It is the responsibility of INEC to conduct free, credible, and transparent elections. But let me say that INEE cannot do it alone. It is a shared responsibility. So the political parties will have their own role to play in this very, very important constitutional assignment.”

The INEC boss said that while it is the responsibility of INEC to comply and perform its statutory duties under the Constitution, including the conduct of elections, registration of voters, publications and presentations of registered voters, it is the responsibility of political parties to also mobilise these registered voters to come out and vote on the day of election.

He said, “I want to assure you that your vote will count. Let me give the example of Anambra’s 8th election. That was the first election that was conducted under my watch.

“In 2022, when Anambra election was conducted, it took five days to conduct that election. But last year, it took us just a day. The election was conducted freely and fairly and by 7 p.m. on the day of the election, 93% of the results had already been transmitted to the INEC. And the same thing happened during the FCT election. So I want to assure you that your vote will count.

“Let me also announce that by tomorrow we shall be signing a peace accord, which is a social contract among the political parties and between the political parties and the people of Ekiti and Nigeria that the election must be held peacefully. Campaigns must be based on issues and not on the personality of the parties.”

Oh his part, the National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Mr Sam Olumekun informed the INEC Chairman that Ekiti has always been the first to announce elections without any rancour or acrimony.

Olumekun said the presentation of the register to political parties reflects the Commission’s commitment under the legal framework guiding its activities to produce a register that is accurate, credible and inclusive.

He said the publication and presentation of this register is not a mere formality. It is the opportunity for political parties, accredited observers and citizens of Ekiti State to inspect, verify and raise any further objections within the window provided by law.

“Transparency at this stage strengthens confidence in outcome on election day. I want to assure all stakeholders on behalf of the Chairman and the Commission that INEC remains bound by the principles of neutrality, transparency and fidelity to all legal provisions and remains committed to ensuring the conduct of credible, free and fair conclusive elections at all times.

“No eligible voter has been disenfranchised and no ineligible name will be allowed on the voter’s register, while asking political parties to maintain the peace as the election day draws nearer,” Olumekun said.

The Resident Electoral Commissioners for Ekiti state, Bunmi Omoseyindemi said the state was fully ready for the Ekiti elections.

He also assured that stakeholders in the state have agreed to protect the sanctity of the coming election and ensure it’s success.