Electoral commission reviews readiness for June 20 poll as chairman defends appeal over court ruling on election timetable and party primaries.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday held a crucial consultative meeting with chairmen and secretaries of political parties ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.
The meeting, which comes 11 days before the election, forms part of INEC’s preparations to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process in the state.
Speaking at the gathering, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the engagement would allow political parties and the commission to fine-tune arrangements for the forthcoming poll.
Amupitan also defended INEC’s decision to appeal a recent court judgment concerning the commission’s powers to set election timetables and timelines for political parties’ pre-election activities, including the conduct of primaries and submission of candidates’ lists.
According to him, the commission believes the judgment contains conflicting positions by affirming INEC’s authority to issue election timetables while limiting its power to determine timelines for party primaries.
He said the appeal is aimed at obtaining a clearer judicial interpretation of the commission’s constitutional responsibilities ahead of future elections.
The meeting is expected to address key operational issues and strengthen collaboration between INEC and political parties as preparations intensify for the Ekiti governorship election.