Ekiti election: Police deploy officers to all polling units

The Nigeria Police Force on Friday said it has completed security deployments across all 2,545 polling units in Ekiti State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Security, CP Shogule Abayomi said a multi-layered security architecture had been adopted to guarantee a peaceful, credible and hitch-free election.

He said security personnel and operational assets had been strategically positioned across polling units and other designated locations to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, election observers and sensitive electoral materials throughout the exercise.

The deployment, he added, also covers critical infrastructure, major entry and exit routes, border communities and other strategic locations identified as vital to the electoral process.

Abayomi said, “Security deployments and operational arrangements for the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, with security coverage extended to all 2,545 polling units across the state has been put in place.

The deployment also covers critical infrastructure, major entry and exit routes, border communities, and other strategic locations identified as vital to ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

He stated, “Security personnel and operational assets have been strategically positioned across polling units and other designated locations to ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials, election observers, and sensitive electoral materials throughout the exercise.”

He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, assured the public that all officers deployed for election duties had been adequately briefed on their responsibilities and rules of engagement.

“Personnel would carry out their duties professionally, impartially, and in strict compliance with the law,” he said.

Abayomi warned that electoral offences and any actions capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process would be met with appropriate sanctions under the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

He urged eligible voters to turn out peacefully and exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation, while cautioning against the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic or disrupting public order.

Abayomi also released emergency number residents of the state could contact.

“Citizens are urged to remain law-abiding and conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after the election. The police encourage members of the public to promptly report any security concerns through the dedicated election emergency line, 080062335577, which will remain active throughout the election period to facilitate rapid response and intervention,” he said.

No fewer than 13 political parties would participate in the state governorship election slated for Saturday.