NEC to stop Voter Registration in August ahead of Osun polls

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has sent a strong message to political stakeholders in the state, urging them to promptly report any irregularities or concerns regarding the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

Speaking to journalists on Monday while leading a high-powered INEC management team on a monitoring tour across several local government areas, Agboke emphasized that the commission is committed to a transparent process but requires direct feedback from the field.

“We Won’t Sit in the Office” The monitoring team visited several key registration points, including Ilare Methodist Primary School (Obokun LGA), Saint Andrew Primary School (Boripe LGA), and Holy Michael Primary School (Ifelodun LGA).

Addressing the rationale behind the tour, the REC stated that the commission refused to rely solely on office reports. “There may be issues that we are not aware of and that may not be brought to my attention. That is why we decided not to remain in the office but to come to the field and hear directly from the party agents,” Agboke said.

The August Deadline Providing a critical update for prospective voters, the REC disclosed that the registration window is expected to close around August 2026. He explained that the exercise must be halted months before the Osun elections to allow the commission sufficient time to print and distribute Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to all new registrants.

Tracking Political Campaigns On the rising political activities in the state, Agboke clarified that while campaigns are currently internal party affairs, INEC is keeping a “close watch” to ensure compliance with electoral regulations.

“We are tracking the activities of the parties and will carry out oversight where necessary,” he warned, noting that while formal invitations for monitoring haven’t been issued for all events, the commission is proactively tracking developments.

Agents on Ground During the inspection, representatives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party were observed at various centers, with security personnel ensuring an orderly process. The REC expressed satisfaction with the conduct so far but insisted that “constant monitoring” is the only way to guarantee a credible voter register.

Since you are a Technical Director and involved in news publishing, this is a perfect story to “Geo-tag.” When posting these headlines, use the specific schools mentioned (like Holy Michael Primary School, Olonde) as location tags to attract residents in those specific Osun wards who need to register!