The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun State have asked the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, to publicly explain the methodology used to classify 385 locations in the state as electoral hotspots ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The groups also want INEC to clarify how about 200 polling units were marked as being in difficult terrain.
NAIJAONPOINT reports that Babalola, while speaking at a meeting convened by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South West, Adegoke Fayoade, with heads of security agencies, religious leaders, electoral officials and the media, said INEC has identified about 385 flashpoints in the state and 200 difficult terrains that will be hard to access.
The REC said details of the risk assessment exercise done by the commission across the 30 local government areas in the state had been shared with the heads of all security agencies in the state.
But in a letter dated July 6, 2026 and signed by its Convener, Comrade Olowo Emmanuel Aiyedun, the CSOs described the REC’s announcement as unprecedented and a sharp departure from how past elections were assessed in the state.
They cited the 2018 governorship election, which went into a supplementary poll due to a narrow margin, and the 2022 election, noting that INEC did not publicly declare such a high number of hotspots or difficult terrain areas then.
“If the security situation in Osun State has deteriorated to the extent that 385 locations now require hotspot classification, the people of Osun deserve to know the objective criteria, methodology, and security indicators upon which this assessment was made,” the letter stated.
The groups also questioned the timing and motive behind the classification.
They warned that without clarification, the announcement could create fear among voters, discourage turnout, and erode public trust in the process.
The CSOs added that the move “raises reasonable suspicion that the classification was done to satisfy some political agenda.”
On the 200 polling units said to be in difficult terrain, the CSOs argued that elections have been held successfully in those communities in previous cycles.
They said INEC should reassure voters that logistics and contingency plans are in place rather than emphasise challenges.
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“Rather than emphasising logistical difficulties, the electorate expects reassurance that the Commission is fully prepared to overcome such challenges and guarantee every eligible voter an equal opportunity to exercise his or her constitutional right to vote,” the letter read.
The civil groups called on INEC to go beyond releasing figures and publish the indicators behind the assessment.
They demanded assurances that the classification would not be used to suppress voters, relocate polling activities, or disenfranchise eligible voters.
They also urged the Commission to convene a stakeholders’ meeting with political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, observers and CSOs to explain the assessment and build confidence ahead of the poll.
“Every action and public communication by the Commission should strengthen, not diminish, public trust in the electoral process,” the CSOs said.
They added that the people of Osun deserve “a peaceful, credible, free, fair, inclusive, and transparent election.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
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