The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has announced the successful customisation and deployment of 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Prof. Amupitan said the deployment is part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen technological safeguards and protect the sanctity of the electoral process.

Speaking at the stakeholders’ forum in Osogbo on Wednesday, he revealed that the deployment includes 664 dedicated backup units, representing a 15 per cent operational reserve, stationed at Registration Area Centres (RACs) and managed by specialised RACTECH officers to resolve hardware glitches instantly.

Reassuring stakeholders of the commission’s readiness, Amupitan declared that INEC is logistically, technologically, and operationally prepared to deliver an election that strictly adheres to the Electoral Act and its published guidelines.

Providing a breakdown of the electorate, the INEC chairman noted that Osun State has a total of 2,339,233 registered voters spread across 30 Local Government Areas, 332 Registration Areas (wards), and 3,763 polling units, with 14 political parties contesting the election.

Addressing Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, Amupitan revealed that, as of the close of collection on Tuesday, 322,822 cards, representing 62 per cent of newly registered voters, had been collected.

To ensure that no eligible citizen is disenfranchised, Amupitan disclosed that the commission has extended the collection deadline.

“The Commission has reviewed this development and, in the interest of inclusivity, decided to extend the collection till Friday, July 31, 2026, to enable those who have been unable to collect their PVCs to do so.

“We have contacted security agencies to ensure the massive deployment of patrol vehicles around collection centers. Those concerned should take advantage of this window,” Amupitan stated.

The INEC chairman also announced that a mock accreditation exercise will be conducted across 12 selected Local Government Areas (four per senatorial zone) on Saturday, August 1.

He said that in Osun Central, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun and Boripe LGAs were selected, while Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade and Obokun LGAs were selected for Osun East.

He disclosed that Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South and Ejigbo LGAs would be used in Osun West.

Addressing concerns over stolen voter cards, Amupitan reassured the electorate that stolen PVCs cannot be used for accreditation.

“The serial numbers of the stolen cards can be permanently blacklisted on our central server, and law enforcement agencies are closing in on the perpetrators.

“I have directed the ICT Director to ensure a reprint of the stolen PVCs and/or ensure that the affected voters are allowed to use the downloadable PVC, which will be available during this election,” he assured. (The Sun)

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