…warns against vote trading, fake news
…as CSOs, INEC, Security Agencies Pledge Credible, Peaceful Ekiti Guber Poll
Stakeholders in Ekiti State have demanded non-partisanship, strict compliance with the 2026 Electoral Act, and robust security arrangements to guarantee credible and peaceful conduct of the June 20 off-cycle governorship election.
The demand was made at a Multi-stakeholder Roundtable on Legal Compliance and Electoral Integrity organized by The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative, NIGAWD, and the Southwest Secretariat of the Youth Electoral Reform Project, YERP-Naija, in Ado-Ekiti with support fron National Development Institute, NDI
The roundtable brought together INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, NBA, NUJ, NAWOJ, JONAPWD, NCWS, CAN, FIDA, NHRC, NOA, RTEAN, NDI, and representatives of the African Democratic Congress and Young Progressive Party.
During the program, Participants observed that public confidence in elections remains low due to dissatisfaction with recent polls. They noted that the 2026 Electoral Act and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines offer an opportunity for the commission to deliver a credible poll in Ekiti.
Vote-buying was flagged as a “clear and present threat” to the June 20 election, while declining voter turnout and the state’s security situation were identified as risks to participation.
The stakeholders called on INEC to operationalize downloadable PVCs ahead of Osun 2026 polls by defining eligibility, establishing a secure digital platform, assuring security features against forgery, explaining authentication at polling units, and launching nationwide voter education.
They also urged Police and other security agencies to be non-partisan and provide adequate security to prevent intimidation and violence on election day.
Earlier in her remarks,Speaking at a multi-stakeholder roundtable in Ado-Ekiti, NIGAWD Executive Director, Princess Abimbola Aladejare Salako, described credible elections as the foundation of every democracy. She said the youth-led electoral reform movement was established to strengthen democracy by promoting transparency, accountability, youth inclusion and active citizen participation in governance.
Salako explained that the initiative emerged from widespread dissatisfaction among young Nigerians following the 2023 general elections. According to her, a nationwide survey conducted by six youth-led civil society organisations showed that 57 per cent of young respondents were dissatisfied with the electoral process, prompting stakeholders to advocate for reforms.
She said the organisations subsequently engaged thousands of young people, traditional rulers, religious leaders and lawmakers across the country to develop recommendations for electoral reforms and constitutional amendments. She urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure strict compliance with the new electoral law, stressing that the outcome of the Ekiti election would shape future elections in Nigeria.
The Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, assured residents of adequate security before, during and after the election. He said security agencies had concluded arrangements to protect voters, journalists, election observers, INEC officials and electoral materials across the state and urged residents to remain law-abiding.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Kayode Babatuyi, cautioned journalists and the public against spreading misinformation and urged media practitioners to verify facts before publication.
Also speaking, Programme Director of the National Democratic Institute, Mr. Bem Aga, encouraged young voters across Ekiti State’s 16 local government areas to participate actively in the election.
