The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured political parties and voters of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State on August 15, saying extensive security and technological measures have been put in place to guarantee the integrity of the poll.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance on Thursday in Osogbo during the formal signing of the Osun State Governorship Election Peace Accord organised by the National Peace Committee.

Amupitan said the commission had completed seven out of the nine activities contained in its election timetable, leaving only the end of electioneering campaigns on August 13 and the conduct of the governorship election on August 15.

According to him, the election will be conducted across the state’s 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office, covering 332 registration areas (wards) and 3,763 polling units, with a certified voter register of 2,339,233 eligible voters following the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) exercise.

He disclosed that 322,822 newly registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), representing 62 per cent of those eligible, adding that the commission extended PVC collection at all local government offices until July 31 to enable more voters collect their cards.

The INEC chairman also revealed that 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, including 664 backup machines, had been customised for the election, stressing that biometric verification would remain the only method of voter accreditation.

“Biometric verification via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains the sole statutory mechanism for accreditation; there will be no manual accreditation. A total of 4,427 BVAS devices—including a 15% operational reserve (664 backup units) managed by RACTECH teams—have been customized for Osun State. All polling unit result sheets (Form EC8A) will be scanned and uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as soon as voting closes”, he said.

To further demonstrate its preparedness, Amupitan announced that the commission would conduct a statewide mock accreditation exercise on August 1 across 12 selected local government areas spread across the three senatorial districts.

He said the exercise would provide an opportunity for political parties, election observers and the media to assess the commission’s operational readiness ahead of the election.

“To demonstrate total operational transparency, the Commission will conduct a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise this Saturday, 1st August 2026, across 12 selected LGAs (four per Senatorial District):

“Osun Central: Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, and Boripe LGAs. Osun East: Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade, and Obokun LGAs. Osun West: Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South, and Ejigbo LGAs”

The exercise will signify a clear signal of our readiness: we are testing our strength, refining our tools, and ensuring that by the time the first voter arrives at the polls, our system is not just ready, but infallible. We invite all candidates, party representatives, observers, and the media to witness this field test, as it serves as a final litmus test to ensure that on election day, technology will not be a barrier, but a bridge to your democratic will.

On security, the INEC chairman acknowledged concerns over reported incidents of violence and political tension in parts of the state but assured residents that the commission had strengthened collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

He said intelligence-led security operations would be deployed to polling units and collation centres to prevent violence and protect voters, election officials and electoral materials.

Amupitan identified parts of Atakumosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ifelodun, Ila, Oriade and Osogbo local government areas as locations that would receive enhanced security deployments because of identified electoral risks.

He also dismissed concerns arising from the recent theft of uncollected PVCs in Okuku and Ife Central, explaining that stolen cards could not be used for voting because accreditation depends on live biometric verification through the BVAS.

According to him, affected PVCs would be blacklisted while eligible voters would receive replacements or be allowed to use digital verification procedures approved by the commission.

Amupitan further warned against vote-buying, disclosing that the commission was working 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 arrest and prosecute offenders.

He said undercover financial intelligence officers would be deployed around polling units to monitor and prevent vote trading.

The INEC chairman also urged political parties and their supporters to respect the Peace Accord, avoid violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and allow the electorate to determine the outcome of the election through the ballot box.

“It is not the signatures written today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen,” he said.

He called on stakeholders to mobilise voters peacefully and ensure that the August 15 governorship election reflects Osun State’s reputation for democratic maturity and peaceful coexistence.

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