Osun governorship election largely peaceful despite operational challenges, CDD reports

In its preliminary statement, CDD-West Africa, through its Election Analysis Centre EAC, stated that 89.1 percent of observed polling units saw officials arrive before 8:30 a.m., with the remaining 10.9 percent arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC reported that 94.5 percent of polling units had opened by 8:30 a.m. However, the CDD-EAC identified delays in areas like Ife Central and Aiyedire Local Government Areas. Challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS, including slow processing and biometric verification issues, were reported in several local government areas. The CDD-EAC urged INEC to provide functional backup equipment and prompt technical support for BVAS malfunctions.

Concerns were also raised about vote buying, with observers reporting solicitations in Ilesa East and Ola Oluwa, and allegations involving agents of APC and Accord in Irewole Local Government Area. An individual was arrested by ICPC personnel in Irepodun for allegedly possessing signed paper tallies. The CDD-EAC called on relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute vote buying allegations.

While voting was peaceful in many locations, violent incidents were reported in Ejigbo and Modakeke, including disruption at a polling unit and allegations of voters being tear-gass