The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 98 observer groups, 96 domestic and two foreign, for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The accredited organisations cut across a wide spectrum of civil society groups, professional bodies and institutions with expertise in election observation, governance, human rights, gender advocacy, youth development and peacebuilding, the commission said in a statement signed by its Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, on Wednesday.
The statement noted that some of the notable domestic observers are Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, Yiaga Africa, CLEEN Foundation, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Nigerian Bar Association, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, and Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria, among others.

“The presence of accredited observers is in accordance with the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process,” said the statement.
Recalling the important role played by observer groups in boosting public confidence in elections through independent assessment of procedures and results.
The commission “called on all accredited organisations to adhere strictly to the guidelines for election observation and to carry out their activities in a non-partisan and professional manner”.
The accredited domestic observer groups, according to INEC, include the 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Advocacy for Promotion of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative Initiative. Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation. Africa Women for Unity, Social and Culture Organisation. African Christian Care Trust Organization. Akai for Youths Sustainable Development Foundation. Akakpuchionwa Empowerment Foundation. Amazons Women of Substance Foundation. Arise and Build Human Empowerment and Growth Foundation.
Others include Aspire African Youth Empowerment Initiative; Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative; Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Caringhands Youth Initiatives Initiative Caritas Empowerment and Development Initiative Initiative Centre for Development and Transformation Initiative Initiative Centre for Childcare and Youth Development Initiative Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness Initiative Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa Initiative Centre for Empowerment and Rebirth for Sustainable Development Initiative Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development
Others are: Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Communities Initiative; Centre for Positive Change and Civic Responsibility; Centre for Strategic Conflict Management; Centre for Transparency Advocacy; Christian and Muslims for Peace Progressive and Unity Initiative; Citadel of Hope Initiative; Citizens Advocates for Peace is Possible in Nigeria; Citizen’s Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative; Citizens Rights & Leadership Awareness Initiative; Citizens Rights for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative; Citizenship Civic Awareness Centre; CLEEN Foundation; Committee for the Defence of Human Rights; Community Advancement, Good Leadership and Development Initiative; Community Structure Foundation for Good Governance and Concerned Initiative for Community & Social Development.
Conscience Women of Africa Initiative Diaspora Advocacy for a New Dawn Initiative, Nigeria Echoes of Empathy and Leadership Foundation Forum of Nigerian Ministers and Workers of God Foundation for Women Development Future Leaders Global Initiative Gifted Youth and Women Empowerment Foundation, Eha-Amufu Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission, Nigeria Global Initiative for African Development Grassroots Development and Peace Initiative Grassroots in Advance of Democracy Initiative for Improve Sustainability Greater People Centre for Gender Advocacy, Youth Empowerment and Education Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society.
Additional groups listed are: Ilimu Wal Hikmah Islamic Foundation Immaculate Initiative for Peace Initiative for Peace Humanity and Social Advancement for Women Initiative for the Awareness of Civic Education of Citizens Initiative for the Rapid Development of Nigeria Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development Foundation Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria Intercontinental Leadership Initiative International Standard Centre for Development Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons Muslim Sisters for Social Justice Initiative National Democratic Institute National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies Network of Men with Disability Foundation New Dawn for Development New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative New Dream for Grassroots Development NESSACTION Nigeria Nigeria; Civil Society Situation Room Policy & Legal Advocacy Centre Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative Nigerian Bar Association Nigerian Women Trust Fund Northern Patriotic Front Patriotic Women Foundation Police Service Commission Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria Rightway for Women and Youth in Africa Development Initiative and Rosxywhite Care Foundation.
Other groups include Savera Africa Gender Initiative; Secure Tomorrow Initiative; Society for Peace and Capacity Building; Sonia Initiative for Sustainable Peace and Progress; The Flag Foundation of Nigeria; The Peoples’ Care and Advocacy Initiative; TAF Africa (The Albino Foundation); Transform Nigeria Citizens Initiative; Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peace Building and Development; United Nigeria Peace Foundation; Winex Foundation; Women and Youth Development Initiative; Women in Politics Forum; Women of Integrity for Sustainable Advancement Foundation; Womenfest for Betterlife Living Initiative; Women’s Right and Peace Protection Initiative for Africa; Yiaga Africa Initiative; Youth Initiative for Better and Great Nigeria; Your Vote is Your Voice Africa Initiative.
It said the foreign observer groups are AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and Nouvel Perspective.
The commission restated its readiness to conduct the election and assured stakeholders of its commitment to ensure a credible and transparent electoral process.
Also, in a statement on Tuesday by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC said the third and final phase of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration for the ongoing exercise will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026 and end on Friday, July 10, 2026.
The IVEC chairman said that the second phase of the exercise was called off on April 17, 2026 after the publication of the register for claims and objections, a process to clean up the voters’ register.
He said the resumption of the exercise gives another opportunity for eligible Nigerians, especially those who just clocked 18 years or could not register in previous phases, to enrol.
The commission also called on registered voters who wish to change their registration, replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards or correct their bio-data to take advantage of the exercise. Such services can be accessed on its dedicated online portal or at INEC state and local government area offices across the country, it added.
He further announced that the display of the Register of Voters for claims and objections will hold from Saturday, July 23 to Friday, July 29, 2026, describing the exercise as a critical step in ensuring the accuracy, completeness and credibility of the voters’ register.
The statement read, “The Commission assures Nigerians that all necessary arrangements have been concluded for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
The IVEC chairman urged all eligible citizens to actively participate in the registration process, emphasizing that a broad-based participation is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.43

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Wednesday, May 6, met with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, SAN, and other senior officials of the commission at the Force Headquarters in Abuja over security arrangements for upcoming elections.

The meeting was to discuss plans on how to ensure peaceful, credible and secure elections, particularly as the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship elections, upcoming bye-elections and 2027 General Elections approach.

Also present were members of the Force Management Team and senior Officers of Nigeria Police Force.

The delegation from INEC was led by National Commissioner, North-Central Region, Professor Sanni Muhammed, and included National Commissioners, North-East Region, Mrs Jamila Abubakar Malafa and Dr Baba Bila; National Commissioner, South-South Region, Rear Admiral Rhoda Gumus; and National Commissioner, South-West Region, Professor Kunle Ajayi.

Amupitan, in the course of the visit, advocated for proactive security planning in the lead-up to the electoral cycle.

He said that the current security challenges in some parts of the country required early preparation, special training for security personnel and closer collaboration between INEC and the police.

The INEC chairman also called for special attention on vulnerable voters especially the Internally Displaced Persons and Persons with Disabilities.

He said IDPs and PWDs should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without fear, intimidation or obstruction.

He urged the police to help create a safe environment that would assure all eligible voters that they could vote at the elections without fear.

Police Start Intelligence Mapping
Disu said the visit was timely and important to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

He said the Nigeria Police Force had started strategic preparations for the forthcoming elections, including intelligence mapping to identify and prevent possible threats.

The measures are targeted at addressing political violence, cult-related activities, voter intimidation and other actions that could disrupt the electoral process, the IGP said.

He also said that the Force was working on plans for the safe movement of electoral materials and personnel before, during and after elections.

Disu said the police would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure a united operational approach across the country.

He said the Force would also increase efforts to counter misinformation, which he said can raise tension and erode public confidence in the electoral process.

The IGP assured the INEC delegation that the police officers deployed for election duties would be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

He said that personnel were already being trained on rules of engagement, protection of human rights and professional conducts during elections.

In a way that protects voters, election officials, observers and other stakeholders, the police would do their job, Disu said.

“The Force will not tolerate any misconduct on the part of any officer attached for election duties,” he said.

Any police officer found wanting or involved in any act that could compromise the integrity of the elections would be dealt with according to the law, he said.

Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to provide a safe and secure environment for all citizens at all times before, during and after the electoral process.

He said special consideration would be given to IDPs, PWDs and other vulnerable groups to ensure that they are not left behind in the exercise.

The IGP also called for cooperation between the commission and other stakeholders in elections, while pledging the full support of the Force to INEC.

He said that effective collaboration among institutions would be critical to ensure peaceful elections and a smooth democratic process for the country.

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