INEC Unveils Voter Register, Warns Against Vote Buying Ahead of Osun Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 2,339,233 registered voters will be eligible to participate in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.

The commission made the disclosure while presenting the voter register to political parties whose candidates will participate in the election. The poll will determine whether Governor Ademola Adeleke secures another term in office.

INEC also revealed that it has received 95 per cent of the non-sensitive election materials required for the governorship poll, assuring stakeholders that preparations are progressing smoothly.

Speaking at the presentation, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, cautioned political parties against using the voter register to induce, intimidate, or manipulate voters.

She stressed that although political parties are entitled to receive copies of the register in line with the Electoral Act, it must not be used for vote buying, voter profiling, intimidation, or any other activity capable of undermining the credibility of the election.

Babalola urged political parties to make responsible use of the register by engaging voters with their programmes and policies while promoting voter education and encouraging greater participation in the electoral process.

“I encourage all political parties to make effective and responsible use of this register. Beyond serving as a campaign planning tool, it should be used to deepen voter education, encourage citizens to participate actively in the electoral process, and promote higher voter turnout on election day.

“This 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,” she said.

Officials of INEC’s Department of Voter Registry disclosed that 395,995 voters on the register were captured during the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

The commission also announced that it has processed 499,809 Permanent Voter Card (PVC)-related applications, covering fresh registrations, transfers, replacements, and updates.

Speaking during a two-day stakeholders’ interface on credible elections in Osogbo, the REC reiterated that preparations for the election remain on course.

“When I was addressing the press last week, I told them we had received about 80 per cent of our non-sensitive materials.

“Now, we have received about 95 per cent of our non-sensitive materials, and they’re already in the local government batches for distribution to polling units,” she said.