INEC's Oketola Condemns Vote-Buying Ahead of Ekiti Poll

Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), addressed the issue of vote-buying, labeling it a "malignant contaminant" in Nigeria's electoral ecosystem. This statement was made in the context of the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, which marks the third major election in a series of off-cycle elections.

Oketola highlighted the successful conduct of previous elections, including the Anambra State governorship election on November 8, 2025, and the Federal Capital Territory area council elections on February 21, 2026. He reported that 1,059,360 voters were registered in Ekiti, with 1,028,929 permanent voter cards collected.

Oketola stressed the need for a secure environment for voters, free from intimidation and violence, and reiterated INEC's statutory responsibility to conduct elections. He condemned vote trading and clarified that while INEC can prosecute offenders, it relies on security agencies for enforcement.

The commission aims to ensure credible elections through strict adherence to legal frameworks and technological safeguards.