Ekiti Guber Poll: INEC Tightens Security, Finalises BVAS Test, Declares Readiness for June 20 Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ramped up security deployment and concluded final testing of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, assuring stakeholders of a smooth and credible exercise.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Friday during a mock accreditation exercise in Ado-Ekiti, where the commission conducted a final simulation of its election technologies and logistics arrangements.

Amupitan said security agencies had been strategically deployed to identified flashpoints across the state, with coordinated plans to prevent disruptions, voter intimidation and electoral violence during the poll.

According to him, the commission had mapped out high-risk areas and activated targeted security measures in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure adequate protection of voters, officials and election materials.

He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the BVAS during the mock exercise, noting that the device accredited voters within seconds and effectively blocked attempts at multiple or improper accreditation.

The INEC chairman added that the system had been further strengthened with safeguards designed to ensure that election results uploaded electronically correspond strictly with figures recorded on official result sheets.

He said this innovation was part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, credibility and public confidence in the electoral process.

Addressing concerns over possible delays on election day, Amupitan said INEC had expanded polling unit arrangements and improved logistics to guarantee smooth accreditation and voting across the state.

He also confirmed that all non-sensitive electoral materials had already been distributed statewide, while field officers had completed readiness checks ahead of the election.

“With the successful testing of our systems and full deployment of personnel and materials, INEC is fully prepared for the Ekiti governorship election,” he said.

The commission maintained confidence that voting would commence as scheduled across all polling units, amid heightened political activities and expectations of a competitive contest.

Security agencies are expected to maintain a strong presence throughout the election period as part of broader efforts to ensure peace and electoral integrity in Ekiti State.