Ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State off-cycle governorship election, electoral stakeholders have called for strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, saying full implementation of the law is crucial to ensuring a peaceful, transparent and credible election.
The call was made at a Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable on Legal Compliance and Electoral Integrity organised by the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) under the Youth-Led Electoral Reform Project (YERP Naija) in Osogbo.
The roundtable brought together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), civil society organisations, transport unions, the media and other key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for safeguarding the integrity of the forthcoming governorship poll.
Speaking during the event, Executive Director of NIGAWD and Southwest Coordinator of the Youth-Led Electoral Reform Project, Abimbola Aladejare Salako, said the meeting was convened to assess lessons from the recent Ekiti State off-cycle governorship election and ensure that shortcomings identified during the exercise are addressed before the Osun election.
She explained that the Electoral Act 2026 incorporated several recommendations submitted by young Nigerians through the Youth-Led Electoral Reform Project after consultations involving more than 4,000 youths across the country following the 2023 general election.
According to her, the reforms include the mandatory electronic transmission of election results and provisions allowing eligible voters who lose their Permanent Voter Cards to obtain downloadable replacements within the period stipulated by law.
Salako, however, stressed that enacting the law alone would not guarantee credible elections.
“Credible elections are not just about having the policies in place; they are about ensuring that those policies are fully implemented,” she said.
She disclosed that election observers deployed by the consortium across the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State during the recent governorship election observed cases where polling unit results were not uploaded immediately to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“Our observers found that Form EC8A was not uploaded to the IReV immediately at many polling units. These are the gaps we want stakeholders to address before the Osun election. We want all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the 2026 Osun governorship election is not only credible but transparent and truly reflects the will of the people of Osun State,” Salako added.
Programme Director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Bem Aga, commended the initiative, describing the roundtable as a timely engagement capable of strengthening collaboration among electoral stakeholders ahead of the governorship election.
He urged electoral institutions, security agencies and citizens to respect the provisions of the Electoral Act and implement reforms introduced to improve electoral transparency.
“Our message to young people and all electoral stakeholders is to heed the recommendations of Osun youths, including strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026,” Aga said.
He noted that the inclusion of mandatory electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act was one of the major reforms championed by young Nigerians through the Youth-Led Electoral Reform Project.
“The introduction of mandatory electronic transmission of election results is one of the significant reforms in the Electoral Act, and we want to see that provision thoroughly implemented,” he stated.
Aga further called for sustained collaboration among INEC, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to guarantee peaceful, inclusive and credible elections.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Commander, Engineer Construction Command, Ede, Brigadier General S. S. Bello, the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Y. H. Isiaku, reaffirmed the commitment of security agencies to ensuring adequate security before, during and after the election.
He described the roundtable as a platform for dialogue and collaboration aimed at preventing election-related conflicts and promoting democratic stability in Osun State.
“Security agencies are fully aware of their mandate to protect INEC officials, the electorate, and lives and property while ensuring a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election that accurately reflects the will of the people of Osun State,” the commander said.
He urged stakeholders to deepen inter-agency collaboration, share ideas and sustain collective efforts towards peaceful elections, noting that professionalism and synergy among institutions remain essential to successful election security.
The roundtable concluded with renewed commitments from participants to strengthen collaboration, promote legal compliance and support initiatives that will ensure the August 15 governorship election is peaceful, transparent and reflective of the wishes of the people of Osun State.
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