By Oluwaraise me Up
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent elections in 2027, assuring that preparations are already underway to ensure a smooth electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ meeting on the level of preparation for the 2027 General Election held in Ado-Ekiti.
Omoseyindemi disclosed that the Commission would replicate the stakeholders’ engagement across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, beginning next week, to deepen public awareness, strengthen collaboration and ensure grassroots participation in the electoral process.
He described credible elections as a collective responsibility, stressing that INEC could not achieve the desired electoral outcome without the cooperation and commitment of political parties, security agencies, the media, traditional institutions, civil society
organisations and the electorate.
According to him , the Commission’s preparations are focused on seven critical areas, including voter registration and the voters’ register, capacity building for election personnel, logistics and operational planning, deployment of election technology, security and risk management, stakeholder engagement and inclusive participation.He explained that INEC was strengthening the capacity of its permanent and ad hoc personnel, particularly Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, Registration Area Centre Managers, Supervisory Presiding Officers and Presiding Officers, to ensure effective discharge of their responsibilities.
The REC also said the Commission was reviewing its logistical requirements, including vehicles, motorcycles, generators, communication facilities and election materials, to ensure timely deployment across the state’s 16 LGAs and 177 Registration Areas.
On technology, he said INEC would continue to strengthen personnel capacity in the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other approved technological applications to minimise operational challenges during accreditation, result management and other electoral activities.
He identified political violence, thuggery, vote buying, intimidation, hate speech, misinformation and disinformation as potential threats to credible elections, urging security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, early warning and response mechanisms.
The REC further called for greater participation of women, youths, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, assuring that the Commission remained committed to an inclusive electoral process.
In his remarks, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), CP Falade Adegoroye, urged residents and political actors to abide by electoral rules and maintain peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections. Adegoroye appealed to political parties to submit their campaign itineraries to the police to enable adequate security arrangements for their activities and the protection of lives and property.
He also cautioned political actors against provocative statements during campaigns, urging them to concentrate on presenting their manifestos and engaging the electorate in a civilised manner.
Similarly, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ekiti State said no single security agency could guarantee a peaceful election without the cooperation of other stakeholders.She described credible elections as a collective effort and assured that the security agencies would do everything within their capacity to ensure a peaceful electoral exercise.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Kayode Babatuyi, urged residents to verify information before sharing it, warning that the spread of fake news and unverified reports could undermine public confidence and affect the credibility of the electoral process.
Babatuyi called on media practitioners and social media users to embrace responsible information sharing and avoid circulating content capable of creating tension or misleading the public.
The Comptroller of Immigration in Ekiti State also pledged the commitment of the Service to supporting a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections, assuring stakeholders of its cooperation with other security agencies.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy State Controller of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) pledged the Corps’ support in ensuring a conducive environment for all political parties and their supporters. He urged residents to sustain Ekiti’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states, reminding political actors that the contestants were members of the same community and that political relationships should not destroy enduring social bonds.
“Election will come and go, but our relationships will continue,” he cautioned.
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Bunmi Akomolede, said the agency had taken necessary steps to sensitise residents on the forthcoming elections. She assured that the NOA would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to promote peaceful participation, voter awareness and responsible conduct among citizens.
The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, security agencies, market associations, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim organisations, traditional institutions, civil society groups, youth and women’s organisations, among other stakeholders.