OSOGBO – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured political parties, voters and other stakeholders that the August 15 Osun State governorship election will be conducted in strict compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, pledging a process that reflects the genuine will of the electorate.
The assurance was given on Thursday by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, during a multi-stakeholder roundtable on legal compliance and electoral integrity organised by the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative in Osogbo.
Responding to concerns raised by participants, Babalola stressed that adherence to electoral laws remains the strongest safeguard against malpractice and is central to ensuring the credibility of the poll.
According to him, the integrity of an election is determined not only by the credibility of the voting process but also by the conduct of all stakeholders before, during and after the election.
“Compliance with the law remains the strongest safeguard against electoral malpractice,” Babalola said, assuring stakeholders that INEC is fully committed to delivering a free, fair, transparent, credible and inclusive election.
He added that the Commission would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with professionalism, neutrality and integrity, noting that the outcome of the August 15 governorship election would reflect the wishes of the people of Osun State.
Babalola also observed that Nigeria has witnessed elections where no petitions were filed after the declaration of results, expressing confidence in the Commission’s preparations for another credible electoral exercise.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative and South-West Coordinator of the Youth Electoral Reform Project, Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, said the recent Ekiti State governorship election exposed critical gaps in the implementation of the 2026 Electoral Act.
She explained that the stakeholders’ forum was convened to review lessons from the Ekiti election and develop strategies to strengthen transparency, credibility and inclusiveness ahead of the Osun governorship poll.
Aladejare-Salako noted that while the Ekiti election recorded notable improvements, it also revealed operational, legal and administrative challenges that require urgent attention as preparations intensify for the Osun off-cycle governorship election.
She reiterated that credible elections and active citizen participation remain fundamental to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic process.
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