The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rolled out its timetable and operational plans for the 2026 Osun State governorship election ahead of the August 15 poll.
The commission announced the schedule during a press briefing at its Osun headquarters in Osogbo. Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said INEC has completed most of its statutory activities and remains on course to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
INEC Completes Seven Election Activities
Babalola said INEC has completed seven of the 13 activities listed in the election timetable.
The completed tasks include the publication of the notice of election, party primaries, nomination of candidates, publication of candidates’ personal particulars and the release of the final list of nominated candidates.
She added that political parties have already started campaigns. The remaining statutory activities include updates to the voter register following the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
Commission Announces Key Training Dates
INEC also released its training schedule for election officials and security personnel.
The activities include:
- Technical training for Electoral Officers (EOs), Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) and Local Government Training Officers (LGTOs): July 6–10, 2026.
- Pre-election training: Mid-July 2026.
- State training for election security personnel: July 13–15, 2026.
- Zonal training for election security personnel: July 17–19, 2026.
- Training for Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs): July 31–August 2, 2026.
- Training for Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs): August 9, 2026.
- Training for Collation Officers: August 12–13, 2026.
Babalola also said the commission has started an eight-week training programme for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. The training will prepare them for election duties before the general exercise begins.
INEC Confirms 4,427 BVAS for Election
INEC said it will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to all 3,763 polling units across Osun State.
The commission has also set aside 664 backup BVAS machines. This brings the total number of BVAS devices for the election to 4,427.
According to Babalola, the devices will verify voters and upload polling unit results directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). She said officials have already charged every BVAS machine. They will configure the devices shortly before election day.
She added that Registration Area Technical Support Staff (RATECHs) will remain on standby across the state to provide technical support whenever needed.
Logistics and Election Materials Ready
The REC said INEC has received about 80 percent of its non-sensitive election materials.
Officials have already moved the materials to local government areas. They have also sorted them into Registration Area Centres (RACs) and polling units.
She said sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, will arrive during election week before distribution to all local government areas.
INEC will also use 97 Super RACs and 105 RACs to accommodate election officials. The centres will help ensure the early deployment of personnel and materials on election day.
Voter Education and Security Plans Ongoing
Babalola said INEC has intensified voter education across the state.
The commission is using radio, television, social media, market outreach, town hall meetings and visits to traditional rulers and faith-based organisations to educate voters.
She also said INEC continues to work with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
In addition, transport unions have agreed to inspect vehicles that will convey election officials and materials on August 11 and 12. The unions will also operate a situation room to address transport challenges on election day.
INEC Seeks Stakeholders’ Support
Babalola urged political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and voters to support the electoral process.
She said successful elections require the cooperation of every stakeholder. She also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to delivering a peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible governorship election in Osun State.
