The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Josh Amupitan, has assured eligible voters that their votes will count.

He said this when he led National Commissioners of the commission on a readiness assessment visit to EKiti State ahead of the June 20 governorship election.

At the event, he formally presented the Register of Voters for to political parties.

Amupitan, described the occasion as “very unique and important” for the Commission.

He said it was a rare privilege for Ekiti State to host the INEC Chairman alongside almost all National Commissioners for the publication and presentation of the voters register.

“The Electoral Act requires that 30 days before the election, the register of voters must be published and presented to political parties,” he said.

The INEC Chairman disclosed that out of nine major activities contained in the election timetable released last year, seven had already been successfully completed, while campaigns would officially end on June 18.

Amupitan described the voters register as “the foundation upon which free, fair and credible elections are built,” stressing that its accuracy and integrity were critical to ensuring that every eligible voter’s voice was heard.

He revealed that the voter register was compiled after “rigorous data collection, total verification and diligent cleaning exercises.”

According to him, the number of registered voters in Ekiti State increased significantly following the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

“We had about 900,000 registered voters in Ekiti State, but as a result of the Continuous Voter Registration, the number has increased to about 1,059,360,” he disclosed.

“We would like to have a credible and reliable register. It is the responsibility of INEC to conduct free, credible and transparent elections, but INEC cannot do it alone. It is a shared responsibility.”

The Chairman also charged political parties to mobilise voters to participate in the election, assuring residents that their votes would count.

“I want to assure you that your vote will count,” he reiterated, citing previous elections where results were transmitted promptly through the Result Viewing Portal.

Amupitan also raised concerns over vote buying and vote trading, describing them as major threats to Nigeria’s electoral process.

“This is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act,” he warned, adding that agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC and the Police must ensure offenders are arrested and prosecuted.

In his welcome address, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) for Ekiti, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, appealed to all political parties, candidates and their supporters to continue to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly.

Dr. Omoseyindemi noted that the success of the election depended on the collective compliance with the electoral Act and guidelines issued by the commission.

He said, “We encourage political parties in the state to make effective use and lawful use of the register in their preparation for the election.

“Today publication and presentation of the register of voters to political parties is another major milestone in the electoral process. This exercise is in line with the provision of the Electoral Act and the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities. This reflects the commission commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness.”