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By Sola Rotimi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara State has announced critical measures to prevent the disenfranchisement of displaced citizens ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The commitments were made during an interactive session following a quarterly stakeholder meeting in Ilorin, which brought together election regulators, civil society organizations (CSOs), security agency heads, and political party leadership.
Speaking at the session, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kwara State, Alhaji Ahmed Garki, revealed that the commission is actively gathering data to relocate polling arrangements for registered voters displaced by insecurity.
Addressing security challenges across the state, Garki specifically referenced Ifelodun Local Government Area, where criminal banditry has impacted nearly 89 communities, forcing large populations to flee their homes.
“We don’t want to disenfranchise those people that have been displaced by these criminal activities,” Garki stated.
“We put them to task that they should go back and verify what we have given them so that at the end of the day, they will give us feedback… so that we can be able to identify them andmake arrangements for that.”
He said INEC is tasking political leaders to assist in verifying the current locations of displaced constituents to pave the way for special Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) voting centers under established commission guidelines.
The Kwara INEC commissioner also cautioned political actors against electoral infractions; especially reports on destruction of opponents’ billboards and campaign materials, warning that perpetrators will face strict statutory penalties.
During the engagement, party candidates and political leaders expressed confidence in the commission’s proactive communication framework.
State Chairman and Governorship Candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr. Adeshina Lukman Ajisafe, described the meeting as a crucial step given the approaching polls.
He urged all parties and security officials to leverage the discussions to streamline Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution and general election logistics.
Prince Olufemi Adeleke, State Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP) and Public Relations Officer for the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), praised INEC’s openness, and emphasised that active communication prevents operational breakdowns.
Adeleke noted that parties expect INEC to address all identified red flags before election day.
On his part, Mr. Adebayo Gbadamasi, State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Kwara State Chapter, exposed a widespread tactic where political actors target visually impaired voters at polling units to manipulate their ballots.
Gbadamasi called on INEC to deploy dedicated poll officials directly to assist blind voters, ensuring their ballots remain private and reflect their true intent.
“When you get there, some politicians will just come to you, and since you cannot see, they will just take you to that place, and in the process, you just voted for the candidate which you are not interested to vote for. We want INEC to make their people available in those polling units so that one will be satisfied that he has voted for the person he wanted.” Gbadamasi added.
INEC reaffirmed that engagements with political leaders, security forces, and community advocates will continue through every phase of the electoral timetable to deliver a smooth and inclusive voting process.
