10 Key Steps INEC Has Taken Ahead of the August 15 Osun Guber Election

With just weeks to the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has intensified preparations to ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent poll.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ dialogue organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Osogbo, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, outlined key measures already implemented by the Commission in line with the Electoral Act, INEC Regulations and Guidelines.

According to the REC, the Commission has undertaken the following 10 major steps ahead of the election:

1. Implementation of Election Timetable: INEC said all activities contained in the timetable and schedule for the governorship election are being implemented as planned.

2. Stakeholder Engagement: The Commission has sustained consultations with political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, the media and other critical stakeholders.

3. Strengthened Voter Education: INEC has intensified voter education campaigns to ensure eligible voters understand the electoral process and participate peacefully.

4. Training of Election Personnel: The Commission is training ad hoc and permanent staff to ensure professionalism and efficiency during the election.

5. Testing of Election Technology: INEC said it is carrying out necessary tests on election technologies to guarantee their effectiveness on election day.

6. Logistics Review: The Commission has reviewed logistics arrangements, including the deployment of personnel and election materials across the state.

7. Election Security Coordination: Through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), INEC is working closely with security agencies to maintain a peaceful election environment.

8. Transparency and Public Communication: The Commission pledged to continue providing timely updates on every stage of the electoral process through its official communication channels.

9. Countering Disinformation: INEC is collaborating with the media and other stakeholders to combat misinformation and disinformation capable of undermining public confidence in the election.

10. Continuous Collaboration with the Media: The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with journalists to provide accurate information, encourage issue-based reporting and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.

Babalola described the media as an indispensable partner in promoting credible elections and urged journalists to verify election-related information before publication, rely on official sources and help educate voters on election procedures and timelines.

She maintained that the responsibility for delivering a peaceful and credible governorship election rests not only on INEC but also on political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate.