Ekiti Election: INEC Sends Strong Warning to Politicians Over Vote Buying

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to politicians and political parties against vote buying ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election, declaring that anyone caught engaging in electoral bribery must be arrested and prosecuted.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti while presenting the updated register of voters to political parties ahead of the governorship poll scheduled for June 20, 2026.

Amupitan described vote trading as one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s democracy and called on anti-corruption agencies and security operatives to enforce the law without fear or favour.

“I want to reiterate that one of the major challenges and constraints of our electoral process is the issue of vote buying or vote trading,” he said.

“This is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act and it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, especially the EFCC, ICPC and the police, to ensure that those involved are arrested and promptly prosecuted.”

He urged political parties to distance themselves from any form of inducement during the election, warning that the practice damages public trust and weakens the credibility of the democratic process.

The INEC chairman disclosed that 1,059,660 eligible voters had been registered for the Ekiti governorship election, reflecting an increase of about 66,000 voters compared to the figures recorded during the 2023 general election.

According to him, the voter register was compiled after extensive verification, data cleaning and continuous voter registration exercises conducted by the commission.

He explained that INEC had fulfilled the legal requirement of publishing and presenting the register at least 30 days before the election.

Describing the voter register as the foundation of free and credible elections, Amupitan said the commission had deployed technology and collaborated with stakeholders to ensure the credibility and integrity of the process.

He called on political parties to carefully scrutinise the register and report any irregularities within the period allowed by law.

“We urge you to review the register diligently and report any discrepancies promptly,” he said.

Amupitan also assured voters that their votes would count, citing improvements recorded in recent elections conducted by the commission.

Referring to the Anambra governorship election, he said INEC successfully transmitted over 90 per cent of election results electronically on election day, adding that the process was peaceful and largely dispute-free.

The INEC chairman further announced that political parties would sign a peace accord ahead of the Ekiti poll as part of efforts to ensure a violence-free election.

“Campaigns must be based on issues and not on the personality of the parties,” he said. “Let us walk the talk.”

Earlier, National Commissioner supervising Ekiti State, Sam Olumekun, said the presentation of the register reflected INEC’s commitment to transparency and legal compliance.

He noted that the exercise would allow political parties, observers and citizens to inspect the register and raise objections where necessary before election day.

Olumekun assured stakeholders that the commission remained committed to neutrality and credible elections, adding that no eligible voter had been disenfranchised.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, also declared that the state was fully prepared for the governorship election.