THE distribution of sensitive election materials has commenced across Ekiti State as preparations intensify for the governorship election and accompanying senatorial and federal constituency by-elections scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gathered at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Ado Ekiti today to sort and dispatch election materials to the state’s 16 local government areas.
The distribution centre witnessed heightened activity as electoral personnel coordinated logistics for the exercise.
Security operatives were also deployed to ensure the safe movement of materials and maintain order throughout the process.
Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, expressed satisfaction with the exercise, describing the distribution process as seamless.
He assured stakeholders that all sensitive materials would arrive at their designated locations on schedule ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, INEC has revealed a significant increase in voter registration figures in the state.
According to the commission, the number of registered voters rose from 987,647 during the 2023 election cycle to 1,059,360 in 2026.
The figures were contained in a statement issued yesterday by Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.
The statement also disclosed that Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection increased from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026.
INEC noted that the latest figures represent a PVC collection rate of 97 per cent and account for 97.1 per cent of all registered voters in the state.
The announcement followed the successful conclusion of the PVC distribution exercise ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The commission had initially planned to end PVC collection on June 11 but extended the exercise until June 14 after consultations with political parties and other stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado Ekiti.
Addressing concerns about lost, damaged or defaced voter cards, INEC said it received 14,406 applications for PVC replacement in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission stated that all replacement cards were produced within the stipulated timeframe, with the majority already collected by their owners.
INEC, however, explained that it was unable to introduce the option of downloading replacement voter cards for this election because the required technological infrastructure is still being developed.
According to the commission, the digital replacement option is expected to be available for future elections, including the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 2026 and the 2027 general elections.
As Ekiti residents prepare to head to the polls, electoral authorities say all necessary arrangements are being put in place to ensure a smooth, secure and credible voting process.
