The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to voters ahead of the August 15, 2026, off-cycle governorship election in Osun State.

However, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign organisation has questioned INEC’s readiness for the poll, citing recent shortcomings observed in governorship and bye-elections across the country.

Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, INEC’s Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, disclosed the distribution of the PVCs in a statement issued on Monday, saying the collection is open to those who registered, applied to transfer their registration, requested replacement PVCs, or updated their records during the recently concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise.

The REC also stated that the commission has made the process convenient and more accessible by beginning the distribution at the Registration Area level throughout the State, and after that, the collection exercise will continue at INEC Local Government Area Offices.

The Electoral Commissioner, while announcing the schedule, said the collection exercise in the Registration Areas would commence on Wednesday, the 22nd and 28th of July, 2026, from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, including the weekend. She further stated that the collection at INEC Local Government Area Offices would then begin on Wednesday, 29th July, to Friday, 7th August 2026, also from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, Weekend inclusive.

The statement fully reads “COMMENCEMENT OF COLLECTION OF PERMANENT VOTERS CARD (PVC) FOR THE 2026 OSUN STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION”.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, wishes to inform the general public, particularly persons that registered, applied for transfer of registration, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), or update of records during the just-concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise, that their Permanent Voter Cards are now ready for collection.

“To make the collection process more accessible and convenient, PVCs will first be distributed at the Registration Area level throughout the State. After the distribution exercise at the Registration Areas, the exercise will continue at INEC Local Government Area Offices. The distribution exercise is scheduled as follows:

All registered voters concerned are strongly advised to take advantage of the exercise and collect their PVCs promptly within the stipulated period, as the Permanent Voter Card remains the only valid document for accreditation and voting on election day.

In addition, all uncollected PVCs from previous voter registration exercise will be available for collection during the period for distribution of PVCs.

“The Commission hereby reminds voters that PVC collection is strictly personal and it is an offence to do otherwise. Collection by proxy will not be allowed under any circumstance.

INEC remains committed to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive, and transparent Governorship Election in Osun State.

For further enquiries, members of the public are encouraged to visit the nearest INEC Local Government Office or contact the Osun State INEC Office through its official communication channels.”

Imole Campaign Raises Concern Over Electoral Integrity, Seeks Stronger Safeguards for Osun Election

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which is the official campaign organisation of the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address what it considers recurring electoral lapses witnessed in recent elections across the country ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.

The organisation’s Director-General, Senator Kamarudeen Olalere Oyewumi, while addressing journalists in Osogbo, said that they have gathered information from election observers, findings by the council’s Election Surveillance and Data Analysis Unit, publicly available evidence and the experiences of voters during recent elections, maintaining that the commission’s intervention was needed ahead of the coming poll in the state to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process rather than undermine the credibility of the electoral umpire.

Citing the 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, the Ekiti State governorship election and the June 20 bye-elections held in Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, Kano and Kebbi states as examples of elections where there were allegations of shortcomings, these include alleged inadequate deployment and safeguarding of ballot papers and other sensitive election materials. TICC claimed that reports from election observers indicated that some polling units, particularly in the FCT Area Council election, experienced shortages or missing ballot papers, resulting in delays, voter frustration, and temporary suspension of voting.

Consequently, Senator Oyewumi urged INEC to ensure that every polling unit in Osun receives sufficient election materials while also strengthening chain-of-custody procedures and establishing real-time reporting mechanisms capable of detecting and resolving logistical challenges before they affect voters.

TICC also expressed concern over allegations of unlawful distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to suspected mercenary voters during recent off-cycle elections. The council referred to viral videos circulating on social media, claiming that individuals were allegedly issued PVCs shortly before voting commenced.

Although it acknowledged that the authenticity of the videos remained a matter for investigation, the council said INEC should publicly clarify the incidents and ensure that no similar situation occurs during the Osun governorship election.

The campaign organisation further raised concerns over reports that some voters allegedly received ballot papers that had already been thumb-printed before they were issued to them during previous elections.

While stating that it was not making definitive conclusions on those allegations, TICC maintained that INEC must guarantee the integrity of all ballot papers and result sheets to eliminate opportunities for cloning, duplication or unauthorised access to sensitive election materials.

Another issue highlighted by the council was what it described as administrative errors involving the appearance of political parties that did not field candidates on ballot papers and result sheets in previous elections.

According to the council, such errors could confuse voters, increase the number of invalid ballots and undermine confidence in election results. It therefore urged the commission to subject all ballot papers and result-sheet templates to rigorous verification before deployment.

On technology, the council pointed to reports of operational difficulties experienced by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during recent elections, particularly in the accreditation of elderly voters.

Due to this, the campaign organisation reminded the electoral commission of the political consciousness of Osun residents and their expectation of a free, fair, transparent and credible election that faithfully reflects the wishes of the electorate, thereby calling on the umpire to treat its observations with the seriousness they deserve and to implement all necessary corrective measures before the poll.

The full statement reads below.

“Gentlemen of the Press,

We have invited you today to draw the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, election observers, political stakeholders and the general public to several lapses observed in most of the recently conducted elections by INEC—such as the 2026 FCT Area Council Election, the Ekiti State 2026 Governorship Election, and the June 20, 2026 bye-elections conducted in Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo, Rivers, Kano, and Kebbi States—and why those lapses must not be allowed to reoccur in the forthcoming Osun 2026 Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15th August, 2026.

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) believes that elections derive their legitimacy from public confidence. Once citizens begin to lose faith in the integrity of the electoral process, democracy itself becomes endangered. It is against this background that we consider it a patriotic duty to raise these concerns now, while there is still sufficient time for the electoral umpire to address them.

Our position is informed by official reports of accredited election observers, publicly available evidence, independent reviews by our election surveillance team, and the different experiences shared by voters during the above-listed elections.

Accordingly, we call on INEC to urgently address the following observations ahead of the Osun governorship election:

Deployment of Insufficient ballot papers and other sensitive materials
We are deeply concerned by the serious lapses observed during the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, particularly in the deployment and safeguarding of ballot papers and other sensitive materials. As reported by several election observer groups, in several polling units, particularly in the Abaji Area Council, ballot papers were reportedly missing or allegedly snatched, leading to the suspension or stalling of voting and creating avoidable tension between voters, party agents, and the security personnel.

Beyond the immediate disruption to voting, the FCT experience revealed a pattern of disenfranchisement that flows directly from poor planning and operational execution. Where ballot papers and key materials were absent or insufficient at the scheduled opening of polls, voters were either turned back, compelled to wait for long hours, or reassigned under ad hoc arrangements that raised questions about transparency and fairness.

From the foregoing, the Imole Campaign Council hereby insists that INEC must address these weaknesses decisively ahead of the Osun 2026 Governorship Election. The Commission should be required to demonstrate, in verifiable terms, that (i) every polling unit has a clearly documented and publicly accessible record of the quantity of ballot papers and other sensitive materials deployed; (ii) chain-of-custody procedures are tightened with clear sanctions for diversion, negligence, or tampering; and (iii) real-time reporting mechanisms are in place to detect and rectify shortages or irregularities to avoid disenfranchisement of voters.

2. Distribution of PVCs to Suspected Mercenary Voters

One of the most disturbing developments in recent off-cycle and by-elections conducted by INEC in Ogun, Oyo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kano, Ekiti states, etc was the widely circulated viral video showing individuals suspected to be mercenary voters allegedly receiving Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) shortly before voting. To this moment, INEC has failed to either provide any satisfactory explanation or debunk the authenticity of the incident outright.

This silence has further heightened public anxiety. Such an open display of what appears to be organised electoral fraud must never be contemplated in Osun State.

We therefore warn that the people of Osun will not tolerate any attempt to import mercenary voters or manipulate the electoral process through unlawful distribution of PVCs.

Alleged Distribution of Already Thumbprinted Ballot Papers
Equally disturbing was the viral video of protesting voters during the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election and FCT local council elections who alleged that the ballot paper given to them was already thumb‑printed before it even reached their hands.

While we refrain from making definitive conclusions on the incident, INEC owes Nigerians a duty to guarantee that every ballot paper and every result sheet deployed for the Osun election remains secure, untampered with and inaccessible to unauthorised persons. There must be no opportunity whatsoever for the cloning or duplication of sensitive election materials.

4. Wrong Parties on Ballots and Result Sheets

Various observer groups reported incidents in recent elections in Anambra, Ekiti, FCT elections, etc where political parties that did not present candidates for the poll appeared on both the ballot papers and result sheets used for the exercise. This is not a minor administrative error; it strikes at the core of electoral integrity by confusing voters, creating room for void or misdirected ballots, and casting doubt on the accuracy and reliability of official result documentation.

These widespread experiences must serve as a strong early‑warning signal to the electoral umpire as we prepare for the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State. INEC must subject ballot papers and result‑sheet templates to rigorous verification and ensure that only duly nominated and cleared parties appear on all sensitive materials for the election.

Technical Challenges Associated with BVAS
Reports from several observer groups on the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election and FCT council elections revealed that BVAS machines experienced operational difficulties during accreditation, particularly affecting elderly voters whose facial features could not be properly captured.

Technology should make elections easier, not become an obstacle to the exercise of constitutional rights. We therefore urge INEC to thoroughly test, calibrate and deploy fully functional BVAS machines across Osun State to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised because of age or technical failures.

Reports of Voting Without PVCs
We are equally alarmed by reports from credible election observers, particularly the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, indicating that some individuals were allegedly permitted to vote without presenting Permanent Voter’s Cards during the Ekiti governorship election, specifically in Ekiti West LGA (Ward 5, PU 03). This was in clear contravention of the provisions of section 47 of the Electoral Act (2026).

Appropriate verification as prescribed by law remains the foundation of electoral credibility, and the PVC remains the primary instrument for establishing the identity and eligibility of voters within Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.

Allowing individuals to vote without presenting their PVCs creates dangerous opportunities for impersonation, multiple voting and the participation of mercenary voters. This undermines public confidence and provides a fertile ground for electoral manipulation. The Imole Campaign Council rejects such practice in its entirety.

Findings of Yiaga Africa
We note with deep concern the recent findings by Yiaga Africa on the aforementioned Election, which, despite acknowledging some logistical improvements, highlighted serious integrity red flags, including widespread vote buying, lapses in results management, BVAS‑related accreditation challenges, inconsistencies in the handling of sensitive election materials, breaches of ballot secrecy, and inadequate public communication by the electoral umpire.

Therefore, we call on INEC to treat these issues as a clear early-warning signal and to implement concrete, transparent safeguards to prevent their repetition in the August 2026 Osun Governorship Election to preserve public confidence and protect the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

Adequate Deployment of BVAS Machines
Our Election Surveillance and Data Analysis Unit has carried out an immediate clinical assessment of the recently published voters’ register for Osun State.

Our findings indicate that about two thousand five hundred out of the over three thousand polling units across the state have more than five hundred registered voters, out of which over one thousand two hundred units have above one thousand registered voters, which must necessitate the deployment of additional BVAS machines to such polling units in line with the provisions of section 23 of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2026, to prevent avoidable delays, prolonged voting hours, voter frustration and the disenfranchisement witnessed in previous elections in the State.

Therefore, INEC must make adequate preparations by deploying sufficient numbers of election personnel, BVAS machines, and other accreditation equipment to such heavily populated polling units. This is necessary to ensure that every registered voter is given a reasonable opportunity to vote within the stipulated time.

Allegations of Preloaded BVAS and Illegal Result Sheets
We have been inundated with boastful statements reportedly made by some Osun APC leaders about preloading BVAS machines ahead of the governorship election in the State. This claim, if true, strikes at the heart of electronic accreditation and suggests a predetermined outcome rather than the genuine will of the people. It is a calculated attempt to intimidate voters, erode confidence in the process, and create the impression that the election has been technologically compromised before voting even begins.

Equally disturbing are reported claims by the same actors about the illegal printing of extra result sheets for the election. Any manipulation or duplication of result sheets is a direct attack on transparent collation and the authenticity of election results and could enable dangerous practices such as substitution, inflation, or alteration of vote figures.

In the light of these troubling indications, the Imole Campaign Council calls on INEC, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to urgently investigate these boasts; secure and audit all BVAS devices and result sheets; and publicly reassure the people of Osun State that robust safeguards are in place to prevent any form of tampering or pre-programming that could compromise the sanctity of the August 15th, 2026, Governorship Election.

Transparent Distribution of New PVCs
We have been notified about the commencement of distribution of new PVCs by INEC; however, we have serious concerns about the transparency of the process, and we hereby warn that any move to disenfranchise Osun voters by withholding their PVCs will not be tolerated. We categorically demand that this distribution must be transparent in a way that does not allow collection by proxy.

The 381,817 newly registered voters in Osun who took the time to register and several others who updated their details must be given their PVCs during this period.

We therefore urge INEC to devise strategies—such as decentralisation to Wards, mobile distribution teams, and weekend outreach—so that no willing and duly registered voter in Osun State is denied the right to participate in the forthcoming governorship election for lack of access to their PVC.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen, the purpose of this press conference is not to undermine confidence in INEC but to strengthen the electoral process through constructive engagement. The Osun governorship election presents another important opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate that democratic institutions can continue to improve and inspire public confidence.

The people of Osun are peaceful, politically conscious and deeply committed to democracy. They expect nothing short of a free, fair, transparent and credible election that faithfully reflects the wishes of the electorate.

We therefore call on INEC to treat these observations with the seriousness they deserve and to implement all necessary corrective measures before August 15.

We equally urge security agencies to remain neutral, professional, and vigilant throughout the electoral process while calling on political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully.

Finally, we assure the people of Osun that the Imole Campaign Council will continue to engage every lawful democratic institution to protect the sanctity of their votes. The votes of Osun people must count, and every legitimate vote must be protected.”
By Olusola Oludiran
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