INEC spots 11 Osun LGAs as trouble spots before 2026 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has found possible trouble areas in Osun State ahead of the governorship election set for 15 August. They are asking security agencies to stop any attempts to disrupt the voting process during the election.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, who is a professor, shared this during a meeting of the Osun Governorship Election Stakeholders’ Forum on Wednesday in Osogbo, the state capital.

He explained that the commission has added the Electoral Risk Management (ERM) framework to its election planning. This will help them collect, analyze, and monitor risk factors related to the political and security situation during the election.

According to him, INEC has mapped out risk zones, spotted new threats, and identified potential trouble spots. They have also prioritized actions and put in place measures to reduce risks, especially in vulnerable areas of the state.

The identified hotspots include Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun, and Oriade local government areas.

“These hotspot locations will get special security attention. Security forces have strict orders to deal with thuggery, cult activities, and any attempts to disrupt voting, while remaining neutral,” he said.

Mr Amupitan also mentioned that INEC will hold a mock accreditation exercise on 1 August to test their readiness for the governorship election. This exercise will take place in 12 selected local government areas, with four from each of the three senatorial districts in the state.

He added that Osun State has a total of 2,339,233 registered voters. Out of these, 322,822 newly registered voters have picked up their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He noted that the commission extended the PVC collection deadline to 31 July to help more eligible voters get their cards.

Regarding the reported attack on INEC officials and the theft of PVCs in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, Amupitan said the serial numbers of the stolen cards will be blacklisted on the central server. He stated that law enforcement agencies are closing in on those responsible for the theft.

He also instructed the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department of the commission to reprint the stolen PVCs so that affected voters are not left out of the election.

In a goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, assured that the police, along with INEC and other security agencies, have developed strong plans to ensure the safety of voters, election officials, observers, journalists, and electoral materials before, during, and after the election.

“The Nigeria Police Force, as the main agency in charge of election security, is fully prepared to carry out its constitutional duties with professionalism, fairness, and respect for the law,” he said.

Mr Gotan added that special focus has been given to the identified trouble spots, including better intelligence gathering, ongoing engagement with stakeholders, and sending more security personnel to those areas.

He warned that anyone trying to disrupt the voting process will face the law, no matter their status or political ties.

The police commissioner also urged political actors, their supporters, and others involved to act peacefully, avoid inflammatory language, reject violence, and seek legal ways to settle disputes.

As the 15 August governorship election approaches, Osun State has seen increased violence as rival political parties ramp up their campaigns.