Ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented the Electronic Register of Voters (ERV) to registered political parties in the state.
The presentation is in line with its resolve to conduct a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election.
The presentation comes as political parties intensify campaigns across the state ahead of what is expected to be a closely watched governorship contest.
The register revealed 2,239,233 registered voters who are expected to participate in the governorship election across 332 Registration Areas (RAs) and 3,763 Polling Units (PUs) spread across the 30 local government areas of the state and the Modakeke Area Office.
Presenting the Electronic Register of Voters to representatives of political parties at its office in Osogbo on Thursday, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the exercise as a major milestone in the Commission’s preparations for the governorship election.
She said the Register remains one of the most important instruments for guaranteeing transparency, accountability and credibility in the electoral process, stressing that political parties have a responsibility to make proper use of the information contained in it.
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Addressing party representatives, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, election observers, development partners and journalists, Babalola noted that the maturity, understanding and cooperation demonstrated by all stakeholders have contributed immensely to sustaining peace and strengthening the democratic process.
“It is our sincere hope that this atmosphere of peace, mutual respect and issue-based engagement will continue throughout the electoral process and beyond.
“The presentation of the Electronic Register of Voters is not only a statutory obligation but also a demonstration of INEC’s determination to conduct an election that meets constitutional requirements and international best practices.
“The Commission is guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act in compiling, maintaining and updating the Register of Voters before making it available to political parties.”
Electoral Act
Mrs. Babalola said the exercise is in compliance with Section 19 and 20 of the Electoral Act, 2022 which mandates the INEC to compile, maintain, update and make available the Register of Voters on one hand, and on the other hand, makes Register of Voters available to political parties in both printed and electronic formats not later than 30 days before a general election and 14 days before an off-cycle governorship election.
Electronic Register
The REC said the Electronic Register of Voters would enable political parties to examine the list of eligible voters in every polling unit, ward and local government area in the state, so they could plan their campaigns strategically, deploy resources effectively and engage voters lawfully and democratically ahead of election day.
She thus urged political parties to see the register not merely as a campaign document but as an important tool for promoting voter education and strengthening democratic participation.
High Turnout
Babalola noted that higher voter turnout remains one of the strongest indicators of a healthy democracy and urged party leaders to educate their supporters on the importance of peaceful participation, stressing that democracy only flourishes when citizens freely exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear, intimidation or inducement.
Mrs Babalola expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all stakeholders, the August 15 governorship election would further strengthen democracy in Osun State and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
