Over one million voters head to the polls as INEC deploys materials, security agencies tighten surveillance across Ekiti
Voters across Ekiti State will today elect a governor for the next four years as 11 candidates contest the 2026 governorship election.
Incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress is seeking a second term against challengers, including Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress and Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots across 2,445 polling units in 177 wards spread across the state’s 16 local government areas.
INEC has confirmed the deployment of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and assured voters of the readiness of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency.
Security agencies have also deployed personnel and operational assets to strategic locations across the state, while a restriction on vehicular movement remains in force from midnight until 6:00 p.m. on election day.
Beyond Ekiti, voters in parts of Enugu State, Rivers State, Ondo State, Nasarawa State, Kano State and Kebbi State will also participate in senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly by-elections scheduled for today.
Political observers say the outcome of the Ekiti governorship poll will be closely watched as a key indicator ahead of the 2027 general elections.