The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured electorates in Osun state that their votes will count in the 2026 governorship election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, who gave the assurance at the state office of the commission during the stakeholders’ engagement in Osogbo, Wednesday, insisted that no election without the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).
He also said the Osun election will be conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2022, promising to communicate the stakeholders if the changes at the National Assembly will affect the election.
Agboke who sought the support of the media in the campaign against vote buying, urged the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to ensure that their parties avoid hate speech during campaign activities.
He expressed concern over refusal of residents to collect their PVC, noting that Osun is on top in the number of uncollected voters’ card.
He said, presently, number of registered voters is 1, 954,800; number of permanent voter cards (PVCs) collected is 1, 594,006; number of uncollected PVCs is 360,794; number of Registration Areas/Electoral Wards is 332; number of Polling Units is 3763. A critical examination of the above statistics has shown the large number of PVCs uncollected in Osun state. Concerted efforts are being made with the stakeholders to continue to create the awareness for the electorates, not just to register, but to ensure the collection of the cards.
“I appeal to you all to rise up to continue to support INEC Osun state so as to deliver a credible election. INEC alone cannot deliver peaceful and successful election. In togetherness we shall all achieve the desired outcome of our election. Let me assure you all here today that INEC shall ensure a credible process in the upcoming 2026 Governorship election. Your vote will count. We shall do the right thing at all times. We shall ensure we do our best to ensure your vote count.
“For the purpose of emphasis, let me state the unwavering commitment of INEC in Osun state to transparency, fairness, and professionalism.
“Electorate should be educated to eschew vote buying and selling by anyone who may want to trade with their votes. It should be noted that both the violence and vote buying and selling are punishable under the Electorate Act. We must all shun them. Media should help against this cankerworm. Civil society must not keep silent in any manner,” Agboke said.
