INEC Extends PVC Collection, Reaffirms Readiness for Osun Governorship Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and peaceful Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for August 15, 2026.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, gave the assurance at the Osun State Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum in Osogbo, saying the Commission has concluded critical logistical, technological and operational preparations for the poll.

To encourage greater voter participation, INEC extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards to Friday, July 31. The Commission disclosed that 322,822 newly registered voters, representing 62 per cent, have collected their PVCs.

A mock accreditation exercise will also hold on Saturday, August 1, across 12 selected Local Government Areas to test the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System ahead of the election.

Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the number of registered voters in the state has increased from 1,954,800 to 2,339,233.

She added that all 3,763 BVAS devices required for the election have been configured and fully charged, while 1,328 backup machines have been provided for contingencies.

As part of preparations, the INEC Chairman also commissioned the INEC Decides Studio and a BVAS Storage Facility at the Commission’s Osun State office. The facilities are expected to strengthen election communication and safeguard critical electoral technology.

Following the stakeholders’ forum, the INEC Chairman and other senior officials met with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security as preparations intensify for the August 15 poll.