The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, has confirmed that 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to vote in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, revealed the information on Thursday during the presentation of the Electronic Register of Voters to political parties in Osogbo.
Babalola welcomed the presentation as a big step forward in the commission’s preparations for the governorship election, stating that the register would increase openness, inclusion, and trust in the electoral process.
She stated that the procedure was carried out in accordance with Sections 19 and 20 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), which require INEC to construct, maintain, update, and make available the voter register to political parties within the timeframe specified before elections.
She said, “The electronic register will enable political parties to review the list of eligible voters across the state, plan their campaigns effectively and engage the electorate in a lawful and meaningful manner.”
She urged political parties to responsibly use the register to improve voter education, stimulate citizen participation in the electoral process, and increase voter turnout on election day.
However, Babalola warned against using the register for election crimes such as vote-buying, voter inducement, and intimidation.
“The Register of Voters must never be used to facilitate vote buying, voter inducement, intimidation, or any other type of election malpractice.
“Rather, it should be a genuine way of reaching out to voters with ideas, programs, and policies that will allow them to make educated decisions. Elections should be contests of ideas and ambitions for progress, not ones based on bribery or other electoral offences,” she stressed.
The REC restated INEC’s determination to hold a free, fair, credible, inclusive, and transparent governorship election in Osun State.
She stated that the commission has continued to make the necessary administrative, operational, technological, and logistical measures to ensure the election’s success while retaining professionalism, impartiality, and integrity.
Babalola urged political parties, candidates, supporters, and state residents to maintain peace, obey the law, and cooperate throughout the voting process.
She emphasised that legitimate elections involve the cooperation of political parties, security services, the media, civil society organisations, election monitors, and voters.
“I urge everyone to oppose violence, hate speech, misinformation, vote buying, and any other conduct that could undermine the election’s credibility. Let us continue to work together for democracy and Osun State’s prosperity,” she remarked.