INEC Warns of Vote Buying Ahead of Osun Election

Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised alarms about the increasing threat of vote buying, warning that it could jeopardize the election's credibility if not effectively addressed by security agencies. The Civil Society Concerns on Election Security in Osun urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to act neutrally and professionally during the election.

INEC officials indicated that they were over 90% prepared for the election, having completed critical preparations such as the deployment of election materials and training of personnel. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, led a comprehensive readiness assessment involving six National Commissioners and other officials.

The assessment included a mock accreditation exercise to test the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Additionally, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu assured that adequate security measures were in place for a peaceful election.