The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has intensified preparations for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, with 3,763 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices set for deployment across all polling units in the state.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed that the commission has also received 80 per cent of the non-sensitive materials required for the election.
According to her, a total of 3,763 BVAS machines will be deployed to the state’s 3,763 polling units for voter accreditation, while an additional 664 devices have been earmarked as backup to address any technical contingencies on election day.
Babalola explained that beyond accrediting voters, the BVAS machines will be used to electronically upload polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV), a measure aimed at enhancing transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
She revealed that all the devices have been charged and are awaiting final configuration ahead of deployment.
The REC further stated that INEC has identified and procured all sensitive and non-sensitive materials required for the election, adding that most of the non-sensitive materials have already been distributed to local government areas and sorted into Registration Areas and polling units.
As part of efforts to guarantee a smooth electoral process, Babalola said the commission is working closely with security agencies to secure election materials and ensure a peaceful environment before, during and after the poll.
She noted that difficult terrains and potential flashpoints across the state have been mapped out to guide security planning, logistics deployment and reconnaissance operations.
According to her, INEC’s collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security has yielded assurances of adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials.
On voter participation, the REC disclosed that Osun State had 1,954,800 registered voters before the recent Continuous Voter Registration exercise, while the distribution of previously uncollected Permanent Voter Cards was conducted alongside the registration exercise.
With just weeks to the election, the commission’s latest update signals an advanced stage of preparedness as political parties intensify campaigns for what is expected to be a closely watched governorship contest in the South-West state.