INEC Assures Osun Residents Of  Uninterrupted Voter Registration Despite Locked Local government Secretariats 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has reassured residents that the ongoing closure of local government secretariats will not hinder the forthcoming Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.

Addressing an expanded stakeholders’ engagement in Osogbo on Wednesday, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, confirmed that registration points located inside inaccessible council secretariats would be relocated to alternative venues to ensure that the exercise runs smoothly.

The meeting brought together security chiefs, political party representatives, civil society groups, and journalists to discuss preparations for the CVR and the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Agboke explained that INEC had already identified affected offices and forwarded the details to its headquarters for prompt action.

“The CVR will start on the 18th of August, 2025, with online registration,” he said. “Prospective registrants will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply their personal information, after which they will generate a slip to present at the local government office within their area of residence. From the 25th of August, registrants will come physically for their biometrics — fingerprints and facial capture. INEC offices inside local government secretariats are not shut down, but where we lack access, we will relocate them. This situation will not stop the process.”

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Locked Council Secretariats and Political Dispute

Local government secretariats in Osun State have remained locked since February 17, 2025, due to a prolonged political dispute between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) over council leadership.

The APC has insisted that a February 10, 2025, Court of Appeal judgment reinstated its candidates, who were elected in October 2022 but removed following a December 2022 Federal High Court ruling. However, the PDP maintains that officials who assumed office in February 2025 are the legitimate council leaders.

This political impasse has left several local government facilities, including INEC registration centres, inaccessible to the public.

Preparations for the 2026 Governorship Election

Speaking on preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship poll, Agboke confirmed that the statutory notice of election, scheduled for August 8, 2026, had been posted in all 30 local government offices as well as the Modakeke area office. This, he said, marks the official commencement of election-related activities in the state.

He further outlined the electoral timetable, stating that party primaries—including the resolution of disputes—would be conducted between November 24 and December 15, 2025. Submission of nomination forms by political parties is slated for January 15 to February 9, 2026.

Agboke stressed the importance of compliance with the schedule, warning that INEC would enforce all deadlines strictly.

Call for Collective Action Against Electoral Malpractices

The Osun REC appealed to stakeholders to join INEC in the fight against vote buying, warning that the practice undermines democratic values and threatens electoral credibility.

“The commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and credible election. We need the cooperation of political parties, security agencies, civil society, and the electorate to ensure success,” Agboke said.

He urged political parties to educate their supporters and members of the public about the dangers of selling their votes, noting that credible elections require active citizen participation and integrity at all levels.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Voter Awareness

Participants at the stakeholders’ meeting pledged to work closely with INEC to guarantee a smooth CVR exercise and a transparent governorship election. Security agency representatives assured the commission of adequate personnel deployment to safeguard registration centres and polling units, particularly in politically tense areas.

Civil society organisations also committed to intensifying voter education campaigns, both online and through grassroots outreach, to ensure that eligible voters understand the registration process and the importance of participating in elections.

Political party leaders at the meeting urged INEC to ensure fairness in the relocation of registration centres, especially in communities where political tensions are high. They also called on the commission to maintain neutrality while enforcing electoral guidelines.

CVR Process and Access to Registration

Under the outlined plan, prospective voters will first complete their pre-registration online by visiting the official CVR portal to provide personal details. They will then print a confirmation slip and proceed to designated physical locations for biometric capturing starting August 25, 2025.

INEC has assured residents that every local government area will have an operational registration point, even if some must be relocated to public spaces such as schools, town halls, or community centres.

By taking proactive measures to address the closure of certain council secretariats, the electoral commission aims to avoid any disenfranchisement of eligible voters ahead of the 2026 polls.

As Osun prepares for both the CVR and the governorship election, the commission’s message remains clear — political disagreements at the local level will not be allowed to derail the electoral process.