INEC extends PVC collection in Osun to July 31 ahead of August 15 governorship poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Osun State to Friday, July 31, 2026, to enable more voters to participate in the August 15 governorship election.

 

—Extension To Accommodate More Voters—

 

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, announced the extension on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo.

 

“As at the close of PVC collection yesterday, a total of 322,822 representing 60% of the newly registered voters had collected their PVCs,” he said.

 

“In the interest of inclusivity, the Commission has reviewed this development and decided to extend the collection till Friday, July 31, 2026. This is to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.”

 

—Voter Register And Election Logistics Finalized—

 

Prof. Amupitan said the final register for the election contains 2,339,233 eligible voters across 30 LGAs, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units. 14 political parties have been cleared for the ballot.

 

He added that the Commission, working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, will deploy patrol vehicles around collection centers to ensure safety.

 

“We have contacted security agencies and will request ICCES. After this meeting, I will be meeting with ICCES to ensure massive deployment of patrol vehicles around the venue of the collection centers. Those concerned should take advantage of this window and collect their PVCs,” he stated.

 

The Chairman noted that through the Automated Biometric Identification System, ABIS, cases of double registration and invalid entries were weeded out.

 

“Therefore, the cleanup legally verified the electoral register as 2,339,233 citizens. Those are the people who have the right to vote in the election of August 15, 2026.”

 

—Cleared Candidates For Osun 2026—

 

The 14 parties and their candidates cleared for the election are:

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

ZLP – Adesuyi Olufemi

 

—INEC Reaffirms Commitment To Credible Poll—

 

INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, urged stakeholders to support the Commission’s inclusivity drive.

 

“INEC, under the hard-working and committed leadership of the Honorable Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, has been working tirelessly to prepare for this election. The people of Osun State, like all citizens, deserve an election that reflects their will, free from undue influence, violence and malpractice,” he said.

 

Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said collection

was progressing well.

 

“The PVC collection is ongoing and as of yesterday we have issued 62% of the PVCs for distribution. The official register of voters for the election was presented to political parties sponsoring candidates,” she said.

 

“I wish to reaffirm INEC’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, neutrality, inclusivity and the delivery of elections that are free, fair, credible and reflective of the will of the people of Osun State.”

 

Voters yet to collect their PVCs have until Friday, July 31 to do so at designated collection centers across the state.