Preparations for the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election have intensified, with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, commencing the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to eligible voters across the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun, Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the exercise covers voters who registered, transferred their registration, requested replacement of lost or damaged cards, or updated their details during the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
INEC said PVC collection at the Registration Area level will run from July 22 to July 28, while collection at Local Government Area offices will continue from July 29 to August 7, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, including weekends.
The commission urged eligible voters to collect their cards within the scheduled period, stressing that the PVC remains the only valid means of accreditation for participation in the election.
Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign platform of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has called on INEC to strengthen electoral safeguards ahead of the poll. The council’s Director-General, Senator Kamarudeen Oyewumi, said the concerns were based on observations from election monitors, the council’s surveillance team and voter feedback from previous off-cycle elections.
He raised concerns over alleged shortages of election materials, PVC distribution challenges, reported cases of pre-thumbprinted ballot papers, BVAS technical issues and claims of voting without PVCs. The group also urged INEC to deploy more BVAS machines and personnel to densely populated polling units to prevent delays and voter disenfranchisement.
On its part, the APC has continued its campaign for its governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, with party leaders promising improved governance if elected. The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said an APC administration in Osun would prioritise workers’ welfare, agriculture, education, healthcare and security.
Basiru added that increased federal allocations to states provide an opportunity for Osun to accelerate development, promising greater support for civil servants and farmers.
