No fewer than 1,059,360 registered voters head to the polls to cast their votes and elect the next governor of Ekiti State.
The exercise, which will be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will be held across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The election marks a critical moment in the state’s political journey, with political parties fielding candidates in a contest that will determine who leads Ekiti for the next four years.
Polls open at 8:30 a.m.
As voters prepare to make their choices, issues such as insecurity, the rising cost of living, infrastructure development, public service delivery and the lingering debate over zoning are expected to shape electoral decisions.
Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, expressed confidence in the process, assuring stakeholders that all materials would reach their destinations on schedule.
INEC also announced that voter participation was expected to increase significantly compared to the last governorship election. According to the commission, the number of registered voters rose from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.
The commission further disclosed that 1,028,929 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected, representing a collection rate of 97 per cent.
INEC said it had successfully concluded PVC distribution after extending the exercise from June 11 to June 14 following consultations with stakeholders.
The electoral body revealed that 14,406 applications for replacement PVCs were received and processed in line with the Electoral Act 2026.
“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged, or defaced Voter Cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed.
“The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election,” it said.
The commission commended traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, political parties and the media for supporting voter mobilisation efforts and urged eligible voters to participate peacefully.
