Election: INEC Chairman Commissions Decides Studio Ahead of Osun Governorship Election

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has commissioned the newly established INEC Decides Studio and a BVAS Storage Facility at the Osun State INEC office as part of preparations for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The projects, initiated by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, are aimed at improving election communication and ensuring the safe storage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used during elections.

Speaking after commissioning the facilities, Prof. Amupitan said the INEC Decides Studio would serve as a dedicated media centre for election-related interviews and public information, while the BVAS Storage Facility would enhance the security of the Commission’s election technology.

The INEC Chairman later met with Electoral Officers from the 30 local government areas of Osun State, where Mrs. Babalola and the Supervising National Commissioner for Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, assured him that the Commission was fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and conclusive governorship election on August 15.

They pledged that INEC officials in the state would carry out their responsibilities professionally and would not disappoint Nigerians.

Addressing the Electoral Officers, Prof. Amupitan described them as the Commission’s frontline representatives, stressing that their actions would determine public confidence in the electoral process.

He directed officials to ensure that polling units open early on election day, warning that unnecessary delays would attract sanctions, while outstanding performance would be rewarded.

The INEC Chairman also assured staff of the Commission’s commitment to improving their welfare and expanding electoral infrastructure across the country.

On election security, he said INEC would continue working with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of election personnel, voters and sensitive materials during the governorship poll.

Prof. Amupitan also warned against misinformation and disinformation ahead of the election, urging officials to remain professional and ensure that the Osun governorship election sets a higher standard for future off-cycle elections in Nigeria.