?The Independent National Electoral Commission has extended the collection of permanent voter cards in Osun State until Friday, July 31, 2026, to accommodate more voters ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
?INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan announced the extension at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday. He stated that by the close of PVC collection the previous day, a total of 322,822 voters-representing 60% of newly registered citizens-had collected their cards.
?’Consequent upon this, the commission has reviewed this development and, in the interest of inclusivity, decided to extend the collection of the PVC till Friday, 31st July 2026, to enable those who have been unable to collect their PVCs to do so. This is to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised,’ Amupitan said.
?Voter Register and Security Measures
Amupitan confirmed that the commission has finalised the voter register, recording 2,339,233 eligible voters distributed across 30 local government areas, 332 wards, and 3,763 polling units. Fourteen political parties are slated to participate in the upcoming ballot.
?To safeguard the process, Amupitan noted that security agencies have been contacted, and discussions with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security are underway. Authorities plan to deploy patrol vehicles extensively around collection centres.
?Through the Automated Biometric Identification System, the commission eliminated double registrations and invalid entries, legally verifying the final voter register at 2,339,233 citizens.
?Cleared Political Parties and Stakeholder Appeals
?Fourteen political parties and their respective candidates have been cleared for the election: Accord, Adeleke Ademola; AA, Olarewaju Farinloye; AAC, Esan Olajide; ADC, Salaam Najeem; ADP, Adeagbo Opawoye; APC, Oyebamiji Bola; APGA, Adeyemi-Doro Adesina; APM, Adebayo Adewale; APP, Adesuyi Clement; BP, Adeleke Adesoji; NNPP, Adeleke Taofeek; PRP, Saliu Oyelami; YPP, Ogunsakin Enoch; and ZLP, Adesuyi Olufemi.
?Stakeholder Kunle Ajayi urged continuous support for INEC’s inclusivity drive, praising the leadership under Amupitan and emphasising the public’s right to a transparent, violence-free election.
?Oluwatoyin Babalola added that distribution is progressing smoothly, with 62% of available PVCs already issued, reaffirming the commission’s dedication to delivering a credible, neutral electoral process.