The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, has given a firm commitment that all legitimate votes cast in the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election will be respected and counted. He made this declaration during a pre-election visit to the state, alongside National Commissioners, where he also officially handed over the voters’ register to the participating political parties.
Professor Amupitan highlighted that the gathering marked a significant milestone for INEC, noting that it is rare for the entire INEC leadership to be present in Ekiti for such an event. He emphasized that the presentation of the register is a statutory requirement under the Electoral Act, which mandates its publication and release to parties at least 30 days before the election date.
According to the Chairman, the commission has already completed seven out of nine major activities outlined in the election timetable. He noted that political campaigns are scheduled to end on June 18, two days before the election. Describing the voters’ register as the bedrock of any credible election, Amupitan explained that it was developed through meticulous data collection, thorough verification, and exhaustive cleaning processes.
Providing specific figures, he revealed that the number of registered voters in Ekiti has risen substantially due to the Continuous Voter Registration exercise. “We previously had about 900,000 registered voters, but that number has now increased to approximately 1,059,360,” he stated.
Amupitan called on political parties and citizens to collaborate with INEC to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process. “Conducting free, credible, and transparent elections is our responsibility, but we cannot achieve it alone. It requires collective effort,” he said. He reiterated his assurance directly to the people, stating, “I want to reassure you that your vote will count.”
Taking a strong stance against electoral malpractice, the INEC Chairman warned against vote buying and vote trading, labeling them as grave threats to Nigeria’s democracy. He stressed that such actions are criminal offenses under the Electoral Act and urged law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Police, to arrest and prosecute offenders.
In his own remarks, the Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the election period. He encouraged parties to make constructive and lawful use of the voters’ register in their preparations for the election.