The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has officially commenced preparations for the 2026 governorship election, with the posting of the statutory Notice of Election in all local government offices across the state.

Speaking at an expanded stakeholders’ engagement on Wednesday at the Olusegun Agbaje Media Centre in Osogbo, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, said the exercise marks the start of activities leading up to the poll, scheduled for August 8, 2026.

According to Dr. Agboke, the timetable released by INEC headquarters stipulates that political parties will hold their primaries between November 24 and December 15, 2025, with the submission of candidates’ particulars to run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.

He disclosed that Osun State currently has 1,954,800 registered voters, with 1,594,006 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected and 360,794 still unclaimed.

The state has 332 electoral wards and 3,763 polling units.

According to him, The Continuous Voters Registration exercise will begin with online registration on August 18, 2025, through www.cvr.inecnigeria.org, followed by physical biometric capture at INEC offices from August 25, 2025.

Dr. Agboke stressed that registrants who fail to complete biometric capture will not be considered fully registered.

Eligible registrants, he said, include new voters aged 18 and above, those who have never registered, voters seeking replacement of lost or defaced PVCs, and those wishing to transfer their voting location.

He appealed to residents to collect their PVCs once the collection window opens, reiterating that “No PVC, No Voting” will be strictly enforced.

For persons with disabilities (PWDs), Dr. Agboke announced special provisions such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, assistive listening devices, and priority queues for the elderly and pregnant women.

The REC urged political parties to ensure peaceful primaries, avoid hate speech, and discourage vote buying.

He also charged youths to shun violence, fake news, and electoral malpractice, warning that such offences are punishable under the Electoral Act.

Acknowledging the support of security agencies, civil society groups, and religious bodies, Dr. Agboke said INEC alone cannot deliver a credible election.

“In togetherness, we shall achieve the desired outcome. Your vote will count, and we shall do the right thing at all times,” he assured.

The commission, he added, will deploy the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) for the CVR and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the election to ensure transparency, fairness, and professionalism.