Osun Election: Heavy Security As INEC Intensifies Final Preparations

According to IReporter Online, a heavy presence of security personnel was observed at the commission’s premises as authorities worked to complete arrangements for the deployment of electoral officials and sensitive materials across the state’s 30 local government areas.

Members of the media, civil society organisations and other election stakeholders were also present at the INEC office to monitor the final preparations for the poll.

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies were reportedly deployed in large numbers as part of measures to ensure adequate security before, during and after the election.

The security operatives are expected to be deployed to various locations across the state to safeguard voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, was also said to be holding meetings with National Commissioners and supporting Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states as the commission worked towards ensuring a smooth and credible election.

The election is scheduled to hold across 3,763 polling units spread among 332 wards in the 30 local government areas of Osun State.

INEC has repeatedly assured political parties, civil society groups and voters that it is fully prepared for the election, while urging residents to participate peacefully and exercise their civic rights.

Ahead of the poll, the commission disclosed that 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards had been collected by registered voters across the state.

The figure represents 81.50 per cent of the 2,339,233 registered voters in Osun State.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed the figures in a statement issued on Thursday.

The commission said the remaining 432,843 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent of registered voters, had been securely deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with its established procedure.

INEC also revealed that some voters whose PVCs were damaged, defaced or lost had applied for replacement cards, with 6,101 applicants printing downloadable copies of their PVCs.

With the election just hours away, security agencies and electoral officials are expected to maintain heightened preparations as Osun State heads to the polls to elect its next governor.