The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, urging political actors and security agencies to work together to ensure a free, fair, and credible poll.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, made the appeal on Thursday in Ado Ekiti during an Election Risk Management (ERM) sensitisation workshop organised for key stakeholders.
Omoseyindemi said INEC remains fully committed to delivering an inclusive and peaceful election, stressing that the success of any electoral process depends largely on cooperation, understanding, and responsibility among all participants.
“INEC remains fully committed to conducting an election that reflects the will of the people of Ekiti State,” he said.
He urged political parties and candidates to ensure their campaigns remain peaceful, issue-based, and fully compliant with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, warning against violence, incitement, and electoral misconduct.
According to him, the sensitisation workshop was designed to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the ERM framework, identify election-related risks specific to Ekiti State, and develop coordinated strategies to mitigate potential challenges before, during, and after the poll.
Participants at the workshop included representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services, Federal Road Safety Corps, the National Orientation Agency, the media, and INEC officials.
Omoseyindemi explained that the ERM framework serves as a critical tool for identifying, assessing, and addressing risks that could affect electoral credibility. He noted that these risks range from logistical constraints and security threats to misinformation, electoral malpractice, and non-compliance with guidelines.
He highlighted vote-buying and voter inducement as recurring challenges in past elections in Ekiti, warning that they pose a serious threat to democratic integrity if not decisively tackled.
He also raised concerns over misinformation and disinformation, particularly through social media platforms, which he said could mislead voters and heighten political tension if unchecked.
Other risks identified include electoral violence, political thuggery, disruption of voting processes, logistical delays in deploying election materials to remote areas, low voter turnout driven by fear or distrust, and lack of adherence to electoral rules by political actors and their supporters.
“These risks are not insurmountable, but they require proactive collaboration and shared responsibility among all stakeholders,” he said.
He emphasised that only through vigilance, cooperation, and strict adherence to electoral laws can INEC guarantee an election that truly reflects the will of the people of Ekiti State.
The commission reiterated its readiness to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming governorship election is conducted in an atmosphere of peace, order, and transparency.
