The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to participate in the August 15 Osun governorship election, describing the poll as a key test ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, as he began a five-day readiness assessment tour of Osun State.
According to Amupitan, the registered voters are spread across 3,763 polling units in 332 registration areas covering the state’s 30 local government areas.
He said the commission was making every necessary arrangement to ensure the election is free, fair, peaceful and credible, noting that its successful conduct would serve as an important benchmark ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The Osun governorship election is a very important election because of its proximity to the 2027 general election. We are determined to ensure that the process is free, fair and credible,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be deployed for voter accreditation, stressing that only accredited voters would be allowed to cast their ballots.
He also assured political parties and other stakeholders that the commission remained committed to delivering an election that genuinely reflects the will of the electorate.
Appealing to traditional rulers, Amupitan urged them to mobilise their communities for a peaceful electoral process and discourage politicians and their supporters from engaging in violence, vote-buying and other electoral offences.
“The blood of one innocent person is not worth a governorship election. Nobody should be killed, threatened or intimidated because of an election,” he said.
The INEC chairman further warned against the spread of misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence to circulate fake election results or misleading content capable of creating public anxiety.
In his response, the Ooni of Ife commended INEC for consulting traditional rulers ahead of the election but expressed concern over rising political tension in the state.
The monarch urged the electoral commission to remain impartial and ensure the election is free, fair and acceptable to all stakeholders.
