INEC registers 381,817 new voters in Osun, assures credible 2026 governorship poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 381,817 new voters have been successfully registered for Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State. The Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 381,817 new voters have been successfully registered for Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State.
The Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo. She also assured residents of the commission’s readiness to conduct a credible governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Babalola stated that a total of 499,809 applications were processed during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Providing a breakdown, she said 1,391 persons with disabilities were newly registered, while 50,747 voters applied for transfers. A total of 7,272 voters updated their records, while 42,355 requested replacement PVCs due to loss or damage. She added that 14,362 applications were reviewed, and 1,865 PVCs have been collected so far.
Speaking on her redeployment to Osun ahead of the governorship election, Babalola noted that postings within the commission are routine and determined by INEC’s leadership.
“Posting is a regular exercise in INEC and is handled by the Commission. A REC does not decide where to serve. Just as you received the news, I also got my posting letter to report in Osun State. I was previously the REC in Ondo State,” she said.
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“The electoral integrity is very important, and one of the things we use to surmount pressure is to boost confidence and the trust of the people you have come to serve, we at INEC are not voters, we are election managers, we are not even election officials on election day, we are not presiding officers, we are not returning officers, our job is to ensure that the right things are done men and materials are on field and you give a level play ground to all Stakeholders.”
She stated that the commission will continue to engage stakeholders including media, civil society, security agencies, political parties and other to ensure the sanctity at the poll.
Speaking about vote buying and selling on 2026 Osun guber election, she noted that “INEC does not sell and buy vote. The sellers and the buyers are not INEC. One of the things you need to do when you walk with us we do our own voter education, the media would help us, the political party will also have a role to play to ensure that people vote their conscience, you don't need money to vote.
“The laws has stated it clearly, you do not need money to vote, it's an offense for the seller and buyer, we need to keep educating the electorate that they should mortgage their future because of money, when you sell your vote, you cannot hold your leaders accountable.”
