INEC Extends Osun PVC Collection, Vows Strict Transport Neutrality Ahead of August 15 Governorship Poll
By Our Correspondent, Osogbo
Osogbo (Core Reporters) The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, (SAN) has assured political stakeholders that the Commission will strictly enforce its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with transport unions to guarantee neutral and efficient logistics for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Speaking on Wednesday at the INEC stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission would not compromise its transport arrangements, stressing that vehicles deployed for election duties must remain politically neutral.
“We will not, and I emphasize, we will not compromise our transport logistic framework with the transport unions that we have already signed an MOU with,” he said.
He disclosed that INEC would hold a separate meeting with transport unions immediately after the stakeholders’ engagement to reinforce their responsibilities.
“It is important for us to emphasize that the transport unions represent INEC on the day of election. Those vehicles that will be partaking in the distribution of personnel and materials must be neutral. They must not support any political party,” he added.
The INEC Chairman explained that logistics remained central to the Commission’s target of commencing accreditation and voting by 8:30 a.m. in all 3,763 polling units across Osun State.
To achieve this, he announced that Registration Area Centres (RACs) would open from 12 noon on Friday, August 14, allowing election personnel, security agencies, sensitive materials and transport providers to be positioned ahead of election day.
According to him, INEC has activated 97 Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) and 105 RACs across the state to facilitate early deployment and eliminate logistical bottlenecks.
Prof. Amupitan also unveiled an incentive scheme for Electoral Officers whose local government areas achieve 100 percent commencement of voting by 8:30 a.m.
“The reason we are doing this is to avoid any form of malpractice. If voting goes too late into the night, anything can happen,” he noted.
In the same vein, the INEC Chairman also announced the extension of the ongoing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise until Friday, July 31, 2026, to enable more eligible voters collect their cards ahead of the election.
He disclosed that 322,822 PVCs, representing about 60 percent of newly registered voters, had been collected as of Tuesday.
“In the interest of inclusivity, the Commission has decided to extend PVC collection until Friday, July 31, to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised,” he said.
Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had finalized the register of voters with 2,339,233 eligible voters across 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,763 polling units.
He explained that the register had been cleaned using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) to remove duplicate registrations and invalid entries.
“Therefore, the legally verified register contains 2,339,233 citizens who are eligible to vote in the August 15 election,” he stated.
The INEC Chairman further disclosed that 14 political parties had been cleared to participate in the governorship election.
Stakeholders express confidence
National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, commended Prof. Amupitan’s leadership and staff welfare initiatives, expressing confidence in the Commission’s readiness.
“We are prepared for the 2026 election. We have dedicated staff, and our objective is to conduct an election that is free, fair, inclusive and conclusive,” he said.
Similarly, the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Oluwatoyin Babalola, affirmed the state’s preparedness, noting that extensive engagements had been held with transport unions to ensure seamless movement of personnel and election materials.
“The PVC collection is progressing well, and the official register of voters has already been presented to political parties. We remain committed to transparency, professionalism, neutrality, inclusivity and the conduct of a free, fair and credible election that reflects the will of the people of Osun State,” she said.
