The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled to commence the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to all 16 local government areas on Thursday, while security agencies have rolled out extensive deployments to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
This comes as the Court of Appeal has constituted the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, even as the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the airlifting of sensitive materials to support INEC operations for Ekiti and other by-elections nationwide.
Across the state, security presence has been significantly reinforced, with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deploying 10,000 personnel and the Nigeria Police Force activating a coordinated election security structure.
Ekiti voters are expected to decide between candidates fielded by 13 political parties across 177 wards and over 2,000 polling units in what is widely regarded as a major political test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to The PUNCH, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that INEC had completed key logistical arrangements ahead of the exercise.
“We (INEC) have done most of the things we need to do,” the REC said.
He explained that sensitive materials, including ballot papers, BVAS machines and voter registers, would begin movement to local government areas on Thursday, while non-sensitive materials had already been deployed.
The commission assured that voting would commence promptly across polling units once the process begins.
The movement of materials is considered a critical step in the electoral timetable and is expected to involve close monitoring by political parties, observers and security agencies.
On the logistics side, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed it successfully transported INEC’s sensitive electoral materials between June 15 and 16 following an official request.
According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operation covered Ekiti as well as senatorial and federal constituency by-elections in Enugu, Nasarawa, Rivers, Kano and Kebbi States.
He said the materials were airlifted from Abuja to designated airports using the Air Force’s strategic transport capabilities.
“The successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development,” the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, stated.
He added that the military remained committed to supporting civil authorities in the conduct of credible elections.
Security planning has also been stepped up, with the Nigeria Police Force deploying election-specific protocols under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, who has assumed responsibility for the exercise.
Police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, said the command had activated intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency coordination and strategic deployments under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He noted that efforts were focused on preventing violence, curbing thuggery, cultism and misinformation, as well as securing the movement of electoral materials.
According to him, a centralised operational structure has been established to ensure rapid response across the state.
“The protocols are towards ensuring adequate provision of security and robust collaboration with sister security agencies and election stakeholders,” he said.