Osun 2026: INEC Extends PVC Collection, Assures Readiness for August 15 Governorship Election
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State to July 31, reaffirming its preparedness to conduct a credible, peaceful and transparent governorship election on August 15.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), announced the extension on Wednesday during the Osun State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum in Osogbo, saying the decision followed a review of the turnout for PVC collection across the state.
Amupitan disclosed that of the 2,339,233 registered voters in Osun State, only 322,822 newly registered voters, representing 62 per cent, had collected their PVCs before the initial deadline.
He said the Commission approved the extension to ensure that more eligible voters are able to participate in the election.
“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.
The INEC Chairman assured stakeholders that the Commission had completed all logistical, technological and operational arrangements for the poll in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and the Commission’s electoral guidelines.
According to him, 14 political parties will participate in the election, with voting taking place in 3,763 polling units spread across 332 wards in the state’s 30 local government areas.
He said the voter register had been thoroughly cleaned using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which removed multiple registrations and invalid entries to enhance the credibility of the electoral process.
To facilitate timely commencement of voting, Amupitan disclosed that election materials had been decentralised through 97 Super Registration Area Centres and 105 Registration Area Centres across Osun State.
He further revealed that 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, including 664 backup devices, had been configured for deployment.
He explained that voter accreditation would be carried out exclusively through biometric verification using BVAS, while polling unit results would be uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal immediately after voting.
As part of preparations, INEC will conduct a mock accreditation exercise on Saturday, August 1, in 12 selected local government areas across the state’s three senatorial districts to test the functionality of the BVAS machines.
On security, Amupitan acknowledged concerns over recent incidents of political violence and assured stakeholders that INEC, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, had developed proactive measures to safeguard the electoral process.
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 due to identified electoral risks.
Warning against electoral violence, intimidation and ballot disruption, the INEC Chairman declared that “the ballot box, not the bullet, will decide the future of Osun State.”
Amupitan also confirmed that the Commission was investigating recent attacks on its offices in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Ife Central, where some uncollected PVCs were stolen.
He, however, assured voters that the stolen cards could not be used for voting because accreditation depends on biometric verification through the BVAS.
He added that the stolen PVCs would be reprinted, while affected voters may also be allowed to use downloadable PVCs during the election.
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that the Commission 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 combat vote-buying and related electoral offences.
According to him, undercover anti-corruption operatives will be deployed to polling environments to apprehend both vote buyers and vote sellers.
He urged political parties and their candidates to honour the Peace Accord scheduled for July 30 and appealed to supporters to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
Amupitan also called on journalists to report the election professionally and responsibly, while encouraging civil society organisations to intensify voter education and mobilisation to address voter apathy.
Reaffirming the Commission’s neutrality, he 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.
