THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Josh Amupitan, has assured eligible voters in Ekiti State that their votes will count in the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for June 20.
News Point Nigeria reports that Amupitan gave the assurance while leading National Commissioners of the commission on a readiness assessment visit to the state ahead of the election.
During the visit, the INEC chairman formally presented the register of voters to political parties participating in the governorship poll.
Describing the occasion as “very unique and important,” Amupitan said it was a rare privilege for Ekiti State to host the INEC chairman alongside almost all National Commissioners for the publication and presentation of the voters register.
“The Electoral Act requires that 30 days before the election, the register of voters must be published and presented to political parties,” he said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that out of the nine major activities contained in the election timetable released last year, seven had already been successfully completed, while political campaigns would officially end on June 18.
Amupitan described the voters register as “the foundation upon which free, fair and credible elections are built,” stressing that its accuracy and integrity were critical to ensuring that every eligible voter’s voice was heard during the poll.
According to him, the voter register was compiled after “rigorous data collection, total verification and diligent cleaning exercises.”
He further revealed that the number of registered voters in Ekiti State increased significantly following the Continuous Voter Registration exercise carried out by the commission.
“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 disclosed.
“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.”
Amupitan also urged political parties to mobilise voters to actively participate in the election, while again assuring residents that their votes would count.
“I want to assure you that your vote will count,” he reiterated, pointing to previous elections where results were transmitted promptly through the Result Viewing Portal.
The INEC chairman, however, expressed concern over vote buying and vote trading, describing both practices as major threats to Nigeria’s electoral process.
“This is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act,” he warned, adding that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force must ensure offenders are arrested and prosecuted.
In his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to continue conducting themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the electoral process.
Omoseyindemi noted that the success of the governorship election would depend largely on collective compliance with the Electoral Act and guidelines issued by the commission.
“We encourage political parties in the state to make effective and lawful use of the register in their preparation for the election,” he said.
“Today’s publication and presentation of the register of voters to political parties is another major milestone in the electoral process. This exercise is in line with the provision of the Electoral Act and the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities. This reflects the commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness.”