Votes will count — INEC chairman assures ahead of Ekiti polls

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Josh Amupitan, has assured voters in Ekiti State that every valid vote in the upcoming governorship election will count.

He gave the assurance during a visit to Ekiti State with National Commissioners ahead of the June 20 governorship election. During the event, he also presented the voters’ register to political parties.

Amupitan described the occasion as unique and important for the commission, saying it was unusual for Ekiti to host the INEC chairman together with almost all National Commissioners for the presentation of the voters’ register.

He explained that the law requires the commission to release the register before the election.

According to him, “The Electoral Act requires that 30 days before the election, the register of voters must be published and presented to political parties.”

The INEC chairman said seven out of the nine major activities in the election timetable had already been completed, while political campaigns would officially end on June 18.

He described the voters’ register as the foundation upon which free, fair and credible elections are built, adding that the register was prepared after rigorous data collection, total verification and diligent cleaning exercises.

Amupitan said the number of registered voters in Ekiti rose significantly after the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

“We had about 900,000 registered voters in Ekiti State, but as a result of the Continuous Voter Registration, the number has increased to about 1,059,360,” he said.

He also called for cooperation from political parties and citizens to ensure credible elections.

“We would like to have a credible and reliable register. It is the responsibility of INEC to conduct free, credible and transparent elections, but INEC cannot do it alone. It is a shared responsibility,” he said.

Addressing residents, he repeated his assurance that their votes would count.

“I want to assure you that your vote will count,” he said.

Amupitan also warned against vote buying and vote trading, describing both as serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

“This is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act,” he said, adding that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Police should arrest and prosecute offenders.

In his remarks, the Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, urged political parties, candidates and supporters to remain peaceful during the election period.

He said, “We encourage political parties in the state to make effective use and lawful use of the register in their preparation for the election.”