The Independent National Electoral Commission has started distributing sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Ado Ekiti ahead of Saturday’s governorship and legislative by-elections.
INEC officials were at the CBN office Wednesday, sorting ballot papers and result sheets for delivery to all 16 local government areas in Ekiti State. Security was tight at the venue, with police officers deployed to guard the process.
Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi described the exercise as smooth and expressed confidence that the materials will arrive at polling units on time.
The update comes as INEC announced a jump in Ekiti’s voter register. Registered voters rose from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 for the June 20, 2026 election.
According to National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna, PVC collection also increased. A total of 1,028,929 cards have been collected, or 97.1% of registered voters, up from 958,052 in 2023. INEC said it has now concluded PVC collection after extending the deadline from June 11 to June 14 following stakeholder consultations.
INEC also processed 14,406 requests for replacement PVCs due to loss, damage, or defacement, and said most have been collected. However, the Commission noted that voters cannot yet download replacement cards online because the required technology is not ready. That option is expected to launch for the August 2026 Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
Saturday’s poll will decide Ekiti’s next governor, alongside senatorial and federal constituency by-elections.
