The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to conduct a credible, peaceful and transparent governorship election in Osun State on August 15, announcing an extension of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to July 31 to enable more eligible voters to participate in the exercise.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), made the announcement on Wednesday during the Osun State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum held in Osogbo.

Addressing political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, election observers and journalists, the INEC Chairman said the extension became necessary after the Commission reviewed the turnout for PVC collection.

According to him, out of the 2,339,233 registered voters in Osun State, only 322,822 newly registered voters, representing 62 per cent, had collected their PVCs as at the close of the initial exercise on Tuesday.

He said the Commission decided to extend the collection period until Friday, July 31, in the interest of inclusiveness and to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

“We have contacted the security agencies and requested the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to provide adequate security around the collection centres. Those yet to collect their PVCs should take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.

Amupitan assured stakeholders that INEC had completed all logistical, technological and operational preparations for the election, stressing that the Commission remained committed to conducting a poll that meets the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and its electoral guidelines.

He disclosed that the election would involve 14 political parties, with voting taking place across 3,763 polling units located in 332 wards and the 30 local government areas of the state.

The INEC Chairman explained that the voter register had been thoroughly cleaned through the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which eliminated multiple registrations and invalid entries.

To guarantee early commencement of voting, he said the Commission had decentralised election materials through 97 Super Registration Area Centres and 105 Registration Area Centres across the state.

He added that 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, including 664 backup devices, had been configured and deployed for the election.

According to him, accreditation will be carried out exclusively through biometric verification using BVAS, while all polling unit results will be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal immediately after voting.

The Commission also announced that a mock accreditation exercise would be conducted on Saturday, August 1, across 12 selected local government areas covering the state’s three senatorial districts to test the functionality of the BVAS before the election.

On security, Amupitan acknowledged concerns over recent political violence in parts of the state, saying INEC had adopted proactive security measures in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

He identified Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Ifelodun, Oriade and Osogbo as areas that would receive enhanced security deployment because of identified electoral risks.

He warned that the Commission would not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation, ballot disruption or political thuggery.

“The ballot box, not the bullet, will decide the future of Osun State,” he declared.

The INEC Chairman also revealed that the Commission was investigating attacks on its offices in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Ife Central, where some uncollected PVCs were stolen.

He, however, reassured voters that the stolen PVCs could not be used to vote because accreditation is based on biometric verification through the BVAS.

According to him, the Commission has directed that the stolen PVCs be reprinted, while affected voters may also be allowed to use downloadable PVCs for the election.

Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had strengthened collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other relevant agencies to tackle vote-buying and other electoral offences during the poll.

He said undercover anti-corruption officers would monitor polling environments to apprehend both vote buyers and sellers.

The INEC Chairman appealed to political parties and candidates to honour the Peace Accord scheduled for Thursday, July 30, and ensure that their supporters conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.

He also urged journalists to report the election professionally and responsibly, while calling on civil society organisations to intensify voter mobilisation to address voter apathy.

Reaffirming the Commission’s neutrality, Amupitan stressed that INEC has no preferred candidate or political party.

“Our sole loyalty is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sovereign will of the Nigerian people. Let us work together to set a standard of peace, operational efficiency and electoral integrity that Osun State and the nation can be proud of,” he said.

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