Ekiti REC Calls for Stakeholder Collaboration Ahead of 2027 General Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to conduct the 2027 general elections in Ekiti State, with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, urging all election stakeholders to work together to guarantee a successful exercise.
Omoseyindemi made the call in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting convened to assess the level of preparation for the 2027 general elections. He described the commission’s approach as forward-looking, stating that its preparations had been “deliberate, comprehensive and proactive rather than reactive.”
Credibility Begins Long Before Election Day
Addressing the gathering, the REC emphasised that the integrity of an election is not determined solely on polling day but is built over time through adequate preparation, effective collaboration and public confidence long before the first ballot is cast. He urged stakeholders to be guided by their shared interest in strengthening democracy and ensuring that the voice of every eligible Nigerian is heard through a credible electoral process.
He stressed that the responsibility for credible polls is collective. According to him, political parties must conduct their activities within the ambit of the law, security agencies must remain professional and impartial, the media must uphold accuracy and responsible reporting, and citizens must participate peacefully and responsibly.
INEC Reaffirms Commitment to Free, Fair and Inclusive Elections
Omoseyindemi restated INEC’s commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent. He assured stakeholders that the commission would continue to uphold the principles of impartiality, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
Highlighting security as a critical component of election preparation, the REC pointed to the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security as a key platform for identifying, assessing and developing appropriate responses to potential threats. He called for particular attention to political violence, thuggery, vote buying, intimidation, hate speech, misinformation, disinformation and other activities capable of disrupting the electoral process. He also urged security agencies to sustain their cooperation with INEC through adequate intelligence gathering, early warning, prevention and response mechanisms.
Voter Registration, Staff Training and Logistics in Focus
As part of efforts to ensure hitch-free polls, Omoseyindemi said the state’s electoral commission was working to ensure that eligible citizens could update their records and collect their Permanent Voter Cards. He added that the commission was strengthening the capacity of its permanent and ad-hoc staff through appropriate training and retraining, so that every election official understands their responsibilities and operates in line with established guidelines.
The REC further disclosed that the commission was reviewing its logistical requirements, including vehicles, motorcycles, generators, communication facilities, election materials, storage arrangements and personnel deployment across the state’s 16 local government areas and 177 registration areas. The aim, he explained, is to identify logistical gaps early and develop appropriate solutions to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and materials on election day.
He also stated that INEC would continue to build the capacity of its personnel to deploy and operate the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other approved technological applications.
Broad Stakeholder Participation
The meeting brought together representatives of political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, youth and women’s groups, development partners and other critical stakeholders.
The engagement underscores INEC’s push for early and inclusive preparations in Ekiti State, with the commission positioning collaboration, security and public confidence as central to delivering credible elections in 2027.
