The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote buying and trading ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election.

The Commission, while describing the practice as a major threat to Nigeria’s electoral integrity, disclosed that about 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, following an updated register compiled from the continuous voters’ registration exercise.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning yesterday, while presenting the certified voters’ register to political parties in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.

He, however, directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable, insisting that offenders must not be spared under the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Amupitan said vote-buying remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral process, stressing that it is a criminal offence that must be addressed through strict enforcement.

The INEC, he added, remains committed to conducting free, fair and transparent elections, but noted that political parties and voters also have critical roles to play.

He disclosed that the updated register reflects an increase of about 66,000 new voters compared to the 2023 general elections in Ekiti State, when about 900,000 voters were registered.

Amupitan, therefore, assured stakeholders that improvements in election technology, including faster results transmission, would be sustained, citing previous off-cycle elections as examples.

He also announced that a peace accord would be signed by the political parties today, urging stakeholders to commit to peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Sam Olumekun, said the publication and presentation of the register was aimed at ensuring transparency and allowing political parties to verify and raise objections within the legal window.

He reaffirmed INEC‘s neutrality, stressing that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised and no ineligible name would appear on the register.

Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said preparations for the election were in top gear, adding that the state was fully ready for the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote buying and trading ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election.

The Commission, while describing the practice as a major threat to Nigeria’s electoral integrity, disclosed that about 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, following an updated register compiled from the continuous voters’ registration exercise.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning yesterday, while presenting the certified voters’ register to political parties in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.

He, however, directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable, insisting that offenders must not be spared under the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Amupitan said vote-buying remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral process, stressing that it is a criminal offence that must be addressed through strict enforcement.

The INEC, he added, remains committed to conducting free, fair and transparent elections, but noted that political parties and voters also have critical roles to play.

He disclosed that the updated register reflects an increase of about 66,000 new voters compared to the 2023 general elections in Ekiti State, when about 900,000 voters were registered.

Amupitan, therefore, assured stakeholders that improvements in election technology, including faster results transmission, would be sustained, citing previous off-cycle elections as examples.

He also announced that a peace accord would be signed by the political parties today, urging stakeholders to commit to peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Sam Olumekun, said the publication and presentation of the register was aimed at ensuring transparency and allowing political parties to verify and raise objections within the legal window.

He reaffirmed INEC’s neutrality, stressing that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised and no ineligible name would appear on the register.

Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said preparations for the election were in top gear, adding that the state was fully ready for the polls.