The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness for the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, assuring political parties and voters that comprehensive operational and security measures have been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, credible and transparent poll.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, gave the assurance on Thursday while addressing stakeholders at the formal signing of the Osun State Governorship Election Peace Accord in Osogbo.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission had successfully completed seven of the nine activities contained in its election timetable, leaving only the conclusion of campaigns on August 13 and the conduct of the election on August 15.
He disclosed that voting would take place across 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office, covering 332 wards and 3,763 polling units, with a certified register of 2,339,233 eligible voters following the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) exercise.
Professor Amupitan also announced the extension of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at all local government offices until Friday, July 31, revealing that 322,822 newly registered voters—representing 62 per cent—had already collected their cards.
Expressing concern over reported incidents of violence and intimidation ahead of the election, the INEC Chairman said the Commission had strengthened collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure adequate protection for voters, electoral personnel and sensitive materials.
He said the Commission had adopted intelligence-led security strategies, shifting from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention, while working closely with the Nigeria Police Force and the Armed Forces to safeguard the electoral process.
On the theft of uncollected PVCs in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Ife Central, Professor Amupitan assured voters that the stolen cards could not be used for accreditation because biometric verification through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains mandatory.
He added that the serial numbers of the stolen PVCs would be blacklisted, while affected voters would receive replacement cards or be authorised to use digital PVC verification.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed that manual accreditation would not be permitted during the election, disclosing that 4,427 BVAS devices, including 664 backup units, had been configured specifically for the Osun governorship poll. He also stated that polling unit results would be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after voting.
To further demonstrate operational preparedness, Professor Amupitan announced that the Commission would conduct a statewide mock accreditation exercise on Saturday, August 1, across 12 selected local government areas covering the state’s three senatorial districts.
He invited political parties, election observers, civil society organisations and the media to witness the exercise, describing it as a final test of the Commission’s technology and logistics before election day.
The INEC Chairman maintained that the Commission remained committed only to a lawful and transparent electoral process, stressing that credible elections require responsible political conduct as much as institutional preparedness.
He urged candidates and political parties to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, violence and the use of political thugs, warning that elections should be decided solely by the ballot box.
Professor Amupitan disclosed that the Commission had also integrated its Electoral Risk Management framework into election planning, identifying potential flashpoints in several local government areas, including Atakumosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun and Oriade.
He said these locations would receive enhanced security deployments, with security personnel directed to remain professional and impartial while preventing any attempt to disrupt the election.
On vote-buying, the INEC Chairman revealed that the Commission would work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to deploy plainclothes financial intelligence officers around polling units.
He warned that anyone involved in buying or selling votes, whether through cash or electronic transfers, would be arrested and prosecuted under the Electoral Act 2026.
Professor Amupitan also highlighted measures introduced to promote inclusivity, including Braille ballot guides for visually impaired voters, magnifying glasses for voters with low vision, assistive materials for persons with hearing impairment and priority voting arrangements for persons with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly.
He called on political parties, civil society organisations and residents of Osun State to mobilise citizens peacefully to participate in the election, urging all stakeholders to ensure that the August 15 poll serves as a model of democratic maturity and peaceful electoral conduct ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
