By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA — The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), has raised concerns over technical difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), vote buying and isolated incidents of violence during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
In its preliminary statement issued on Saturday, August 15, 2026, CDD-EAC said it monitored the election across Osun State’s 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and wards, and 3,763 polling units.
The organisation said its assessment was based on reports from field observers and a review of credible media reports.
Early Opening of Polls
According to CDD-EAC, the deployment of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials was broadly successful, despite delays in some locations.
The group said 89.1 per cent of polling units monitored by its observers reported that INEC officials arrived before 8:30 a.m., while another 10.9 per cent reported arrivals between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
It added that INEC’s own situation report indicated that 3,556 of the 3,763 polling units, representing 94.5 per cent, had opened by 8:30 a.m.
However, CDD-EAC identified locations where delays were more pronounced, including Ife Central LGA, Ward 11, PU 011, Ikoyi Quarters, where INEC officials were reportedly late.
The organisation also cited a report that a political party agent was already in possession of the voters’ register before INEC officials arrived at the location, describing the matter as requiring clarification concerning the custody and control of sensitive electoral materials.
BVAS Difficulties Reported
CDD-EAC identified BVAS performance as one of the major operational challenges during the early stages of voting.
Observers reported slow accreditation and difficulties with biometric verification at several polling units.
The organisation cited reported BVAS delays at Ifeponrun LGA, Olobu B Registration Area, PU 001, Open Space Health Centre, Ojutu, Ilobu, as well as a malfunctioning capturing machine at Ejigbo LGA, Ward 2B, Unit 15, Enla Osolo.
Similar difficulties were reported at polling units in Obokun and Osogbo LGAs, where observers said fingerprint authentication was problematic.
At Olorunda LGA, Ward 7, Unit 11, the BVAS was initially reported to have failed to recognise some voters but subsequently recognised them.
CDD-EAC also cited media reports of significant BVAS delays, including an incident at Ward 2, Unit 9, Ede North LGA, where voting was reportedly disrupted and had not resumed around 10 a.m. because of a BVAS problem.
The organisation urged INEC to respond promptly to technical challenges reported at polling units.
Vote Buying Remains a Concern
CDD-EAC said vote buying and electoral inducement remained significant concerns during the election.
Its observers reported isolated cases of campaign activity and vote solicitation around polling units, including in Ilesa East LGA and Ola Oluwa LGA.
The organisation also referenced a media report alleging that agents of the APC and Accord were involved in vote buying at AUD Primary School, Atile, Ikire, Irewole LGA.
According to the cited report, voters were allegedly monitored around polling booths and given tags to facilitate payment after voting.
CDD-EAC stressed that such allegations require appropriate investigation and urged anti-corruption and security agencies to investigate credible reports and prosecute established violations.
It also reported that an individual was arrested by ICPC personnel at Irepodun LGA over alleged possession of signed paper tallies, while calling for transparency regarding the circumstances and purpose of the materials.
Violence Reported in Some Locations
Although voting was described as peaceful in many areas monitored by CDD-EAC, the organisation reported isolated incidents of violence.
One of the most significant incidents cited occurred at Polling Unit 13, Ward 4, Ejigbo LGA, where ADC governorship candidate Najim Salaam reportedly voted.
CDD-EAC said suspected hired thugs allegedly disrupted the polling unit, forcing voters and electoral officials to flee and temporarily halting the voting process.
Security personnel were subsequently deployed to the scene.
The organisation also referred to reports of disruption in Modakeke, including a video that allegedly showed interference with the electoral process.
Reports that voters were allegedly tear-gassed in parts of Modakeke and Obokun were also mentioned, although CDD-EAC stressed that such allegations should be independently investigated rather than treated as established facts.
Overall Assessment
CDD-EAC described the election at the preliminary stage as “generally operational but uneven.”
The organisation noted that the overwhelming majority of polling units opened early, electoral materials were available at most observed locations, and voting proceeded peacefully across a substantial number of polling units.
However, it identified three major concerns: BVAS difficulties, particularly in recognising the fingerprints and faces of some voters; vote buying and electoral inducement; and isolated incidents of violence.
CDD-EAC said the challenges appeared to be geographically specific rather than uniform across Osun State, urging INEC and security agencies to respond quickly to problems at individual polling units before they escalate.
The organisation recommended that INEC provide functioning backup equipment and prompt technical support where BVAS malfunctions occur, investigate reported breaches involving electoral materials, strengthen enforcement against vote buying and campaign activities around polling units, and investigate reported cases of violence.
It also called for clear public communication whenever voting is delayed, suspended or disrupted.
CDD-EAC urged political parties and candidates to direct their supporters to refrain from violence, voter intimidation, inducement and interference with electoral officials as the election progresses to the collation stage.
The organisation cautioned that the election was still ongoing and that it was too early to make a definitive judgment on the credibility of the entire process.
It said it would continue monitoring voting, counting and collation and issue a comprehensive post-election assessment after the completion of the electoral process.
