POLITICS
2.3 million registered voters eligible for Osun guber poll – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to participate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Osun State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed the figure on Thursday during the presentation of the Electronic Register of Voters to political parties in Osogbo.
Babalola described the presentation as a significant milestone in the commission’s preparations for the governorship election, saying the register would enhance transparency, inclusiveness and credibility in the electoral process.
She explained that the exercise was carried out in compliance with Sections 19 and 20 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), which mandate INEC to compile, maintain, update and make available the register of voters to political parties within the stipulated period before elections.
According to her, “The electronic register will enable political parties to review the list of eligible voters across the state, plan their campaigns effectively and engage the electorate in a lawful and meaningful manner.”
She urged political parties to use the register responsibly to deepen voter education, encourage citizens’ participation in the electoral process and promote higher voter turnout on election day.
Babalola, however, warned against the misuse of the register for electoral offences, including vote-buying, voter inducement and intimidation.
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“The Register of Voters must never be used as an instrument to perpetuate vote buying, voter inducement, intimidation, or any other form of electoral malpractice.
“Rather, it should serve as a legitimate means of reaching out to voters with ideas, programmes, and policies that will enable them to make informed choices. Elections should be contests of ideas and visions for development, not competitions based on inducement or other electoral offences,” she added.
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The REC reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent governorship election in Osun State.
She said the commission had continued to put in place the necessary administrative, operational, technological and logistical arrangements required for the successful conduct of the election while maintaining professionalism, impartiality and integrity.
Babalola appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of the state to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperative throughout the electoral process.
She stressed that credible elections require the collective support of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, election observers and the electorate.
“I therefore urge everyone to reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, vote buying, and every other act capable of undermining the credibility of the election. Let us continue to work together in the interest of democracy and the progress of Osun State,” she said.
The INEC boss thanked political parties and other stakeholders for sustaining a peaceful political atmosphere in Osun State and formally presented the Electronic Register of Voters to the parties.
She expressed confidence that continued cooperation among stakeholders would strengthen the credibility of the August 15 governorship election.
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