INEC urges Media to expose vote buying ahead of Osun governorship election

Ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged media organisations to prioritise the investigation and exposure of vote buying, stressing that detailed, evidence-based reports by journalists will play a critical role in the successful prosecution of electoral offenders.

The charge was delivered on Tuesday in Osogbo by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, at a one-day Media Stakeholders’ Forum. His keynote address was delivered on his behalf by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola.

Haruna described vote buying as the most disturbing feature of the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, alleging that political actors and their agents openly induced voters with cash and, in some cases, distributed numbered vouchers redeemable outside polling units to avoid detection.

According to him, information gathered by journalists would complement ongoing enforcement efforts involving INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The National Commissioner also reminded political actors and voters that Section 22 of the Electoral Act 2026 prescribes a fine of not less than N5 million, a prison term of up to two years, or both, for anyone convicted of vote trading, in addition to a 10-year ban from contesting public office.

On the Commission’s preparedness, Haruna said INEC had completed key pre-election activities for the Osun governorship poll, including the screening of candidates from 14 political parties and the registration of 381,817 new voters during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

He added that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be fully deployed across the state’s 30 local government areas, noting that the technologies recorded a 96 per cent functionality rate and a 98 per cent result-upload completion rate respectively during the Ekiti election.

Haruna, however, expressed concern over declining voter turnout across the country, pointing out that fewer than four out of every 10 registered voters participated in the Ekiti governorship election. He appealed to the media to intensify voter education campaigns, encourage greater participation in the electoral process and sustain public awareness on the dangers of vote buying.

In her welcome address, the Osun REC, Mrs. Babalola, described the media as a critical partner in promoting credible elections through objective reporting and voter education, urging journalists to maintain professionalism and collaborate with the Commission in ensuring a peaceful and transparent poll.

Also speaking, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, represented by the Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, said the forum was organised to strengthen the Commission’s relationship with media practitioners, provide updates on preparations for the election and explain the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, assured INEC of the media’s commitment to combating vote buying and mobilising voters ahead of the election.

The Osun State governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with 14 political parties expected to participate, including the ruling party seeking re-election.