The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has reaffirmed that the Commission is “operationally, technologically and logistically prepared” for the governorship election that will take place on the 15th of August, 2026.
The Commission’s boss, who gave the reassurance on Thursday during a tour of two local government offices in Osun State to assess the Commission’s level of preparedness, assured all stakeholders that the exercise will reflect the wishes of the people.
Accompanied by a high-powered delegation of INEC National Commissioners and the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, the team’s first stop was the Osogbo Local Government INEC office where he was received by the Electoral Officer, Kadri Saburi Adetunji.
Osogbo LGA has 15 Registration Areas and is one of the 10 LGAs earlier listed by INEC as election hotspots.
During the visit, Prof. Amupitan inspected hardware, electoral materials and other non-sensitive items at the facility. He also enquired from the EO about the office’s level of preparedness for the August 15 governorship poll in the state.
The INEC delegation later moved to the Ede South Local Government INEC office where the Chairman was welcomed by the Electoral Officer, Ogunjide Ololade.
At Ede South, Prof. Amupitan inspected stationery and other non-sensitive electoral materials earmarked for the election.
Responding to the Chairman’s queries, the EO assured of the office’s readiness.
“We will activate our RACs as soon as possible, move our personnel to the field and ensure monitoring,” Ogunjide said.
He, however, appealed to the INEC Chairman for assistance with the perimeter fencing of the premises to enhance the security of materials and personnel.
On Prof. Amupitan’s entourage were INEC National Commissioners: Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Dr. Baba Gbila, Dr. Ken Okeagwu, Dr. Sani Adams, SAN, Sunday Ajah, Malami Tukur Yusuf, and Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa.
Also on the tour was the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola.
Earlier on Thursday, Prof. Amupitan spoke at the signing of the Peace Accord by participating political parties and their candidates in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 election.
He opened his address by appreciating the National Peace Committee.
“On behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I wish to express our profound gratitude to the Chairman and distinguished members of the National Peace Committee for their enduring custodianship of democratic stability in Nigeria. Your tireless efforts in gathering political actors around a unified architecture of non-violence continue to shield our Republic from structural discord,” he said.
He noted that the Peace Accord “is not a mere administrative ceremony or photo opportunity; it is a moral treaty signed before the citizens of this state and the global community.”
On INEC’s readiness, the Chairman said: “For the Commission, our commitment to the letters of this Accord is reflected in our advanced operational readiness. Out of the nine scheduled activities specified in our Timetable and Schedule of Activities, seven have been successfully executed.”
He disclosed that the Commission’s deployment “will cover 30 Local Government Areas and the Modakeke Area Office, spanning 332 Registration Areas and 3,763 Polling Units. Following automated biometric purging, the certified Register of Voters stands at 2,339,233 eligible citizens.”
On PVC collection, Prof. Amupitan announced: “At the close of primary PVC collection, 322,822 newly registered voters representing 62% had retrieved their cards. To guarantee maximum inclusivity, the Commission has extended PVC collection at all LGA offices through tomorrow, Friday, 31st July 2026. Security agencies under ICCES will maintain high-visibility patrols around these venues.”
Addressing security, he said INEC has shifted from “reactive monitoring to proactive prevention.”
“We recognise that insecurity is a direct assault on the sanctity of the ballot. Let me be clear: we will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force. We are proactively deploying intelligence-led security measures to every polling unit and collation center. We will meet any attempt to disrupt this election with the full, unyielding weight of the law.”
He listed 10 LGAs mapped as risk corridors to receive specialised security deployment: “Atakumosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun, and Oriade Local Government Areas.”
On technology, the INEC boss confirmed: “Biometric verification via 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 of 664 backup units—have been customized for Osun State. All polling unit result sheets will be scanned and uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal as soon as voting closes.”
To test the systems, he announced: “The Commission will conduct a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise this Saturday, 1st August 2026, across 12 selected LGAs, four per Senatorial District.”
The LGAs are: Osun Central – Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, and Boripe. Osun East: Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade, and Obokun.Osun West: Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South, and Ejigbo.
Prof. Amupitan also spoke on vote-buying: “We are attacking vote-buying head-on. In direct synergy with the EFCC and ICPC and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, plainclothes financial intelligence officers will saturate polling unit perimeters. Anyone attempting to buy or sell votes will be arrested and prosecuted under the Electoral Act 2026.”
In a direct appeal to politicians, he said: “It is not the signatures written today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen. Leadership won at the expense of human life and public safety is a hollow victory. Demobilise the use of violence, curb inflammatory rhetoric, and let the ballot box alone decide.”
“Let us work together to ensure that Saturday, 15th August 2026, is remembered not for division or discord, but as a triumph of the Nigerian democratic spirit,” he charged INEC staff.
