Human Rights
Osun Decides 2026: KDI Reports Late INEC Arrival in 9 LGAs, 84.7% BVAS Success Rate
By Joseph Sunday
Osogbo — The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has issued its preliminary assessment of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, noting late arrival of INEC officials in nine Local Government Areas and isolated cases of BVAS failure and violence.
The statement was presented at the KDI Election Day Data Room (EDDR) at Ideal Nest Hotel, Osogbo, by Professor Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi on behalf of KDI Executive Director, Bukola Idowu. The presentation was supported by Professor Ernest Ereke, a member of the board of the KDI.
According to KDI, the report is based on field reports received and processed as of 12:00 p.m. on Election Day from its accredited observers. The observation mission was supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
KDI said it deployed 370 trained and accredited observers across all 30 LGAs in the state, covering 332 wards and 1,660 polling units. This comprises 332 stationary observers, 30 roving observers covering clusters of polling units, and 8 faculty members providing senior-level oversight and verification.
The group stressed that the statement is an early snapshot and not a final assessment of the election or its outcome. A comprehensive end-of-day statement will be issued after verification of reports on voting, counting and collation.
KDI reported that 56.1% of observed polling units recorded early or on-time arrival of INEC officials, while 43.0% recorded late arrival.
Late arrivals were concentrated in Ifedayo, Osogbo, Ola-Oluwa, Ayedaade, Iwo, Ayedire, Atakunmosa West, Odo-Otin and Irepodun LGAs.
Despite the delays, election materials were largely intact in 98.9% of reports, with 1.1% reporting issues. The most notable case involved missing BVAS. At Open Space, Awobiogun Junction, Western Sun Int’l Hotel, Ward Alajue II in Ede South LGA, BVAS was initially absent but was delivered from the Registration Area Centre (RAC) within 20 minutes.
On commencement of polls, 79.3% of polling units started voting before 8:45 a.m., 19.8% between 8:45 a.m. and 9:59 a.m., and 0.9% at 10:00 a.m. or later. KDI warned that concentrated delays could lead to extended voting hours and voter congestion.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) recorded an 84.7% success rate and a 15.3% failure rate as of midday. Where it functioned, accreditation averaged one to two minutes per voter.
Failures were concentrated in Ifedayo, Ife North, Osogbo, Ayedaade, Irepodun, Iwo and Egbedore LGAs. KDI said the 15.3% failure rate warrants close monitoring to determine whether it is creating systematic barriers to participation.
KDI recorded 17 reports of interference by party agents, representing about 4.9% of observations on party-agent conduct, and seven reports of interference involving security agents.
Vote-trading remains limited but present. The EDDR received 19 vote-trading reports out of 2,127 total reports, representing about 0.9%. Reported actors included party supporters, party agents and community leaders. The incidents were geographically concentrated, and KDI said it will continue to examine possible links to intimidation.
As of 12:00 p.m., the EDDR recorded three violence-related incidents, including reports from Modakeke Ward 3 in Ife East and Ward 4, Unit 13 in Ejigbo LGA, where political thugs allegedly invaded polling units, chased voters away and snatched election materials. Another report alleged that police officers invaded a RAC and fired teargas, disrupting distribution of materials.
KDI noted that the midday figure is significantly lower than its pre-election monitoring, which recorded 81 election-related violent incidents resulting in 15 fatalities between October 2025 and August 2026. It cautioned that the low figure should not be interpreted as an end to security risks, particularly during counting and collation.
KDI said its observers will continue monitoring through the close of polls, counting, completion of result forms, electronic results management and collation.
The organization called on all stakeholders to maintain peace, respect voters’ rights and allow INEC officials and other authorized actors to complete the process without intimidation or interference.
