The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports alleging the presence of phantom or non-resident voters during the Osun State governorship election, stating that biometric verification mechanisms rendered illegal voting impossible.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola, clarified that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) restricted voting strictly to accredited individuals registered at specific polling units.
Technology and Turnout Metrics
Oketola warned the public against unverified digital content and online misinformation, emphasizing that biometric safeguards ensure electoral integrity at the polling unit level.
Addressing election participation metrics, the commission highlighted key performance observations from the poll:
- Voter Participation: Official records established voter turnout at 50.116%, calculated from registered voters with collected permanent voter cards who completed biometric accreditation.
- Comparative Assessment: The commission noted that participation levels surpassed averages observed in recent off-cycle gubernatorial elections.
- Operational Execution: Logistics management and field deployment contributed to orderly polling operations across the state.
Legal Framework and Preparations for 2027
The commission observed that the peaceful conduct of the election demonstrated institutional maturity within the nation’s electoral system, despite competitive campaigning ahead of the vote.
Regarding potential legal challenges, INEC reaffirmed that dispute resolution procedures are embedded within the constitutional framework, adding that post-election review mechanisms allow aggrieved participants to seek judicial recourse through established legal channels.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, the electoral body stated that off-cycle polls serve as operational benchmarks to refine administrative logistics, security coordination, and technical infrastructure.
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