The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled special security and operational measures for about 2,000 polling units ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election, declaring on Thursday in Osogbo that fear, force, vote buying and electoral violence will not determine the outcome of the poll.
The assurance came as political parties signed a Peace Accord, while security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders pledged to protect the integrity of the election and encourage peaceful participation.
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Attention is now turning from campaign activities to election day preparations. INEC is strengthening security, testing its technology and extending PVC collection so more registered voters can take part in the election while reducing the risk of disruption.
Security plan shifts attention to vulnerable polling units
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said seven of the nine scheduled electoral activities had been completed, leaving the end of campaigns on August 13 and the governorship election on August 15.
He said more than 2.3 million registered voters are set to participate in the election. To improve participation, the commission extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards until 31 July.
Amupitan said the commission had adopted a proactive security approach through the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, using intelligence to identify locations that need closer attention.
He disclosed that about 2,000 polling units had been classified as vulnerable and would receive extra security personnel to protect voters, election workers and election materials.
“We will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force,” Amupitan declared.
He also announced that a statewide mock accreditation exercise would take place on August 1 to test election technology and logistics before voting day.
After the peace accord ceremony, Amupitan led INEC National Commissioners, directors, technical staff and the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, on an assessment tour of selected local government areas to examine the commission’s level of preparedness before the election.
Peace accord places responsibility on parties and institutions
The peace accord ceremony, organised by the National Peace Committee, brought together political party leaders, security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders. Candidates and representatives of political parties signed the accord, promising to conduct issue based campaigns and respect the election outcome.
Cardinal John Onaiyekan, representing the committee’s chairman, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), said the agreement carried serious obligations for every participant.
“Elections will come and go. In every election, somebody will win while others will lose. Life will continue. Therefore, all political actors must abide by both the spirit and the letter of this Peace Accord,” he said.
He appealed to political parties and their supporters to obey the law, conduct peaceful campaigns and accept the election result in the spirit of democracy.
Onaiyekan also reminded INEC and security agencies that their neutrality and professionalism would help build confidence in the election process.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police Mr. Akinyele Fasuba assured residents that security personnel were ready to maintain law and order before, during and after voting.
He said security agencies would remain neutral while ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible election throughout Osun State.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, appealed to politicians and their supporters to reject violence, vote buying and inflammatory rhetoric.
The monarch warned that while political alliances often change after elections, ordinary citizens usually suffer the consequences of election violence.
“Power belongs to the people. Go out peacefully, vote according to your conscience, and return home peacefully. Do not allow anyone to buy your conscience or lure you into violence,” the Ooni said.
The ceremony ended with political parties renewing their commitment to peaceful conduct as INEC continued preparations aimed at delivering a credible governorship election on 15 August 2026.
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