Ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is working closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in vote-buying.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), made the disclosure on Thursday during a strategic consultative meeting with the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers in Ado-Ekiti.
Amupitan also reiterated that the electoral commission has no preferred candidate in the election, stressing that INEC remains independent, neutral and committed solely to ensuring that the will of the people prevails.
According to him, vote selling for immediate financial gain amounts to mortgaging the future of the state and undermining democratic values.
“The Commission is working in strict alignment with the EFCC and the ICPC to arrest and prosecute financial agents attempting to buy votes around our polling units,” he said.
“I appeal to our traditional rulers to use their exalted platforms to preach against this ethical contamination. Let our people know that selling a vote for momentary financial gain is an abdication of their future and a betrayal of the land.
“The Fountain of Knowledge must lead the nation in demonstrating that electoral choices cannot be purchased.”
The INEC chairman assured stakeholders that the commission would conduct a credible, transparent and peaceful election.
“As Chairman of this Commission, I give you my solemn and unassailable pledge: INEC has no candidate in this election. We are completely independent, neutral and dispassionate.
“Our only allegiance is to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the raw expression of the will of the Ekiti people,” he stated.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC would simultaneously conduct major legislative bye elections in six other states on the same day, including the Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South East and Ondo South Senatorial Districts, but assured that attention on the Ekiti governorship poll would remain undivided.
“We want the Ekiti 2026 Governorship Election to be the gold standard of administrative and security efficiency, serving as a bright path toward the 2027 General Elections.
“With your royal blessings and communal oversight, we are confident of a clean, peaceful and successful electoral outcome,” he added.
Meanwhile, Amupitan announced the extension of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in Ekiti State until Sunday, providing eligible voters additional time to obtain their cards ahead of the election.
He appealed to traditional rulers to continue promoting peace and urging politicians and their supporters to avoid actions capable of generating tension during the electoral process.
Responding, the Acting Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, called on INEC to consider creating additional electoral wards and polling units in the state.
The monarch noted that Ekiti’s population has grown significantly since the current electoral structure was established about three decades ago.
He also advocated an increase in the number of federal constituencies in the state to at least nine.
Oba Adewole urged INEC to use the Ekiti governorship election as a test case for preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, adding that the era of election related violence in the state had largely passed.
