The Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) has pledged to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible local government elections scheduled for December 12, 2026, affirming that measures are in place to build public confidence in the process. The commission’s chairman emphasised that cooperation from political parties, security agencies and residents will be critical to ensuring a peaceful and credible exercise.
Local government elections in Ekiti are a key democratic exercise that determines leadership at the grassroots, making them especially significant for community development and governance.
The tenures of current chairmen and councillors are set to expire in December, creating urgency for a smooth transition. The electoral process has drawn attention from political stakeholders, security agencies and civil society groups as part of broader efforts to strengthen democratic practice ahead of national and state polls.
Justice Cornelius Akintayo, chairman of EKSIEC, spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti, where representatives of political parties, the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service and National Orientation Agency pledged support for a hitch-free election.
Akintayo assured attendees that necessary logistical and administrative measures have been taken to foster transparency and accountability.
Akintayo urged political parties to nominate candidates and conduct primaries in accordance with the law, and called on residents to register and collect their voter cards ahead of the polls. He said the commission plans extensive sensitisation and mobilisation campaigns to ensure wide awareness and participation in the council elections.
Joseph Eribo, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, assured the commission and residents that the police would provide adequate, professional security before, during and after the elections to maintain peace and prevent disruptions.
He described local government polls as essential for grassroots governance and pledged police cooperation to safeguard the process.
Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, echoed the sentiment, describing Ekiti as one of the safest states in the country and promising that security agencies would “work around the clock” to maintain peace throughout the electoral period.
The commission’s commitment to credible local government elections represents a positive step for democratic governance in Ekiti State, where citizens often view council polls as foundational for service delivery and community growth.
Clear assurances from EKSIEC and security agencies could bolster public trust and encourage greater voter turnout, particularly among youths and first-time voters.
A peaceful, well-organised local election could also serve as a confidence builder ahead of larger electoral contests such as the 2026 governorship and 2027 general elections, reinforcing democratic norms and participatory politics at all levels.
As Ekiti State prepares for its December 2026 local government elections, the pledge by EKSIEC to deliver a free, fair and credible poll underscores the importance of stakeholder collaboration — from political parties and security forces to ordinary residents.
For citizens, this is an opportunity to assert their civic voice at the grassroots and influence leadership that directly affects service delivery and development. Cooperation, civic education and robust security arrangements will be key to realising an election that boosts public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
