Osun Election: INEC Releases Important Update Ahead Of Saturday Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday announced the extension of collections of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) for the people of Osun State to enable them to participate in this weekend’s governorship election in the state.

Naija News recalls that the electoral body had in June extended the deadline for the collection of PVCs in the state.

However, a few hours before the state’s gubernatorial election slated for Saturday, July 16, 2022, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said residents of the state now have until Thursday, July 14 as the deadline to get their voter cards ready for the polls.

Yakubu also noted that the commission has accredited 87 observer groups and 624 journalists to monitor the election.

Naija News reports that the INEC boss made the announcement in Osogbo, the state capital during a stakeholder meeting with heads of security chiefs, traditional rulers and governorship candidates of the 15 political parties participating in the election.

Yakubu also made it clear that the commission is deploying People with Disabilities (PwDs) as Adhoc staff, saying 35 serving NYSC members with one form of disability or another have been identified, trained and engaged as ad hoc staff at the polling unit level.

He noted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be deployed for voter accreditation and uploading of election results on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal on election day.

The INEC boss expressed optimism about the perfect condition of the machines following the mock exercise carried out.

Meanwhile, twenty-one thousand police personnel have been deployed to Osun State to monitor and ensure the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Ahead of the poll, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, during a meeting with stakeholders of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the personnel would take charge of security and protect electoral materials.

Naija News understands that the meeting was held in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The IGP said the deployment of the personnel would send a strong warning to electorates and politicians who might have negative motives.

He said it will also inform citizens that the government was ready to make democracy work and assured the residents of the state that government will provide a conducive electoral environment for a peaceful election.

He warned trouble makers that irrespective of their status they would be dealt with by the law.