EU observers flag delayed voting, BVAS challenges in Osun election

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) reported several significant issues during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election. Delayed voting, challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and election logistics gaps were among the primary concerns highlighted by observers.

The Hub deployed 823 accredited observers across all 30 local government areas in Osun State to monitor the electoral process. Lanre Arogundade, executive director of the International Press Centre, presented the Hub’s preliminary findings in Osogbo. Observers monitored polling unit openings, availability of materials, voter accreditation, turnout, participation of women and persons with disabilities, security measures, and various other aspects of the election.

According to the Hub, observers found that, out of the 823 polling units selected, officials with a full complement of election materials were present in 726 locations. However, some polling units experienced delays in the start of voting. The Hub urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate action to deploy personnel and materials to areas where voting had not begun by noon. In cases where voting could not commence within the designated timeframe, the Hub recommended that INEC consider rescheduling the election.

Additionally, observers reported technical issues with the BVAS system, which is critical for voter accreditation and verification. The Hub called for urgent technical support in affected polling units to mitigate delays.

Concerns were also raised regarding accessibility for vulnerable voters, including the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. The Hub urged relevant authorities to facilitate safe and dignified participation for these groups.

In terms of security, observers called for a visible yet restrained presence of security personnel at polling units and collation centers to avoid any appearance of heavy-handedness. They stressed the importance of ensuring the safe movement of election officials and materials, particularly in high-risk areas.

The Hub urged political parties and candidates to focus on lawful observation and to refrain from intimidation or vote trading. Participants were reminded to avoid vote buying and to discourage any activities that would undermine the electoral process.

Observers also cautioned against unofficial announcements of election results, urging the media to wait for official declarations from INEC. Journalists were encouraged to engage in real-time fact-checking to counter misinformation during the counting and collation phases.

The EU-SDGN EOH indicated that its observations would extend beyond polling day, monitoring the counting, collation, and result transmission processes at various levels. A comprehensive post-election report will be released following the official results announcement.

The Hub called for all political parties and candidates to remain calm and pursue any grievances through lawful means, in accordance with the Peace Accord signed on July 30, 2026. The EU-SDGN EOH characterized the Osun governorship election as a critical test of the new electoral legal framework and a bellwether for the upcoming 2027 General Election.

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