…Electoral Commission deploys 4,427 BVAS machines
By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), has declared that the August 15 Osun State governorship election will serve as the Commission’s most important electoral test ahead of the 2027 General Election, describing the off-cycle poll as a critical benchmark for assessing its operational preparedness and technological capacity.
Amupitan made the declaration on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at the Enuwa Palace in Ile-Ife, where he sought the revered monarch’s support in ensuring a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election.
The INEC Chairman said beyond electing the next governor of Osun State, the poll would provide an opportunity to demonstrate the Commission’s administrative integrity, operational efficiency and commitment to deploying electoral technology capable of delivering transparent and credible elections.
“This election serves as a critical benchmark for the 2027 General Election. It is a test of our operational readiness, our administrative integrity and our commitment to seamless electoral technology,” Amupitan stated.
He appealed to the Ooni to use the influence of the traditional institution to discourage political violence, vote-buying and other acts capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
According to him, political competition should remain a contest of ideas rather than violence and intimidation, urging political actors, candidates and youths to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election.
Expressing concern over reports of voter inducement and increasing political tension in the state, the INEC Chairman warned that democracy is weakened whenever voters are influenced through financial inducements or intimidation.
Amupitan disclosed that the Commission had concluded major operational preparations for the election, revealing that 2,339,233 registered voters are expected to vote across 3,763 polling units located in the 30 local government areas of Osun State, while 14 political parties will participate in the governorship contest.
He further announced that INEC has deployed 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, including 664 backup units, to guarantee seamless voter accreditation on election day.
To ensure timely deployment of personnel and sensitive materials, he said the Commission has also established 97 Super Registration Area Centres (Super RACs) in addition to 105 Registration Area Centres across the state.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency by ensuring the prompt upload of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, stressing that every valid vote would count.
Maintaining that the electoral umpire would remain impartial throughout the exercise, Amupitan assured all participating political parties of a level playing field.
“We have no preferred candidate, and we have no interest other than the integrity of the exercise.
The outcome of the August 15 election will be nothing less than the true, unadulterated reflection of the sovereign will of the people of Osun State,” he said.
He also urged eligible voters to come out peacefully on election day to exercise their civic responsibility, expressing confidence that the support of traditional institutions, particularly the Ooni of Ife, would further strengthen public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
