The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection to June 14, calling on eligible voters to make use of the extended period to obtain their cards and participate in the upcoming election.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado-Ekiti as part of preparations for the forthcoming poll.
He assured political actors and residents that the Commission is fully prepared to deliver a free, fair, credible and transparent election across Ekiti State.
According to him, INEC’s preparations are guided by principles of transparency, accountability and strict compliance with constitutional provisions.
Amupitan described the stakeholders’ engagement as an important democratic platform for reviewing the Commission’s preparedness and building public trust in the electoral process.
He also praised political parties for signing the peace accord on May 21, 2026, while warning that it must not be treated as a symbolic gesture.
He urged party leaders to ensure full compliance with the agreement by their members, agents and supporters at all levels.
The INEC Chairman further revealed that 2,077 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are eligible to vote in the election, adding that special arrangements have been made to ensure their full participation.
He explained that assistive materials such as Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses would be provided for visually impaired voters, persons with albinism and other categories of persons living with disabilities.
He stressed that inclusivity remains a key priority in the Commission’s electoral process, adding that no eligible voter would be left out on account of disability.
“The stakeholders’ forum is not just a bureaucratic tradition. It is an essential democratic clearinghouse where the Commission presents its readiness profile to the people whose democratic choices we are constitutionally mandated to protect.
“We are determined to do everything possible to ensure that voting starts on time in all the 2,445 polling units. If elections start early, voting will close early, counting will be done in daylight, results will be declared in daylight, and uploads will also be completed in good time,” he said.
“The peace accord must not be treated as a decorative ceremonial exercise. Its principles must be internalized and strictly observed down to party officials, polling agents and grassroots supporters.
“Our goal is to ensure that the election is peaceful, violence-free and credible so that every eligible voter will feel safe to come out and express themselves on election day” he added.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said non-sensitive election materials have already been received and secured appropriately, while sensitive materials will be deployed next week.
He urged political parties to run peaceful and issue-based campaigns, and called on security agencies to maintain a safe environment before, during and after the election.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, reaffirmed the command’s readiness to deploy adequate security to ensure a violence-free and credible poll.
The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ekiti State, Adeniji Aderopo, also urged political actors to embrace peace and tolerance ahead of the June 20 governorship election.
He noted that the election should not be seen as a battle but as a democratic process among citizens seeking to serve the state.
According to him, leaders must move away from a winner-takes-all mentality and promote inclusive governance regardless of electoral outcomes.