Osun Poll: INEC Chairman Amupitan Vows Full Weight of Law Against Election Troublemakers

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the August 15 governorship election in Osun State will face the full weight of the law.

Speaking during the signing of the Peace Accord in Osogbo on Thursday, Amupitan expressed concern over rising insecurity and political tension ahead of the election, describing violence and intimidation as serious threats to the credibility of the electoral process.

The event, organised in collaboration with the National Peace Committee, security agencies, traditional rulers and representatives of the 14 political parties participating in the election, was aimed at promoting peaceful campaigns and violence-free polls.

Amupitan said INEC had completed 11 activities contained in its election timetable, with only the close of campaigns on August 13 and the conduct of the election on August 15 remaining.

He disclosed that the commission would deploy personnel across 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office, covering 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units, with 2,339,233 registered voters cleared through the Automated Biometric Identification System.

According to him, 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, representing 62 per cent of newly registered voters, had been collected, while the collection exercise at local government offices had been extended until July 31.

The INEC chairman said the commission had strengthened collaboration with the Police, Armed Forces and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to ensure proactive deployment around polling units and collation centres.

He revealed that Atakumosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun and Oriade local government areas had been identified as security hotspots that would receive enhanced protection.

Amupitan also said the commission was working with the EFCC, ICPC and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to combat vote-buying, warning that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted under the Electoral Act 2026.

He added that 4,427 BVAS devices had been configured for the election, while all polling unit results would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal immediately after voting.

The chairman also announced a statewide mock accreditation exercise for August 1 and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to ensuring inclusive, peaceful and credible elections in Osun State.