The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up preparations for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, with a renewed focus on voter education, inclusivity, and grassroots mobilisation aimed at reducing voter apathy across the state.
The initiative was reinforced during a Joint Implementation Meeting of the Voter Education & Publicity and Gender & Inclusivity departments held in Osogbo on Monday.
According to a post shared on INEC’s official X handle, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, led discussions on strategies to deepen civic engagement ahead of the poll.
Babalola emphasised that sustained voter sensitisation is essential for strengthening democratic participation, warning that inadequate public enlightenment could further weaken turnout at elections.
“Election is a process, not an event,” she said, while expressing concern that voter apathy remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s electoral system, despite improvements in electoral administration.
According to her, the problem is driven by misinformation, lack of trust in the system, political disengagement, and limited access to credible electoral information.
She stressed that citizens must not only be aware of election dates but also understand the importance of their participation in shaping governance outcomes.
“Citizens must understand not only when elections will hold but also why their participation matters,” she said.
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Babalola called for voter education efforts to move beyond formal announcements, urging electoral officials to engage directly with communities at the grassroots level.
As part of this approach, she directed Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers to intensify outreach programmes in markets, motor parks, schools, and religious centres.
She also encouraged collaboration with traditional rulers and religious leaders to improve voter awareness and trust in the process.
On inclusivity, she described it as a core democratic principle, insisting that no segment of society should be excluded from the electoral process.
“Inclusivity is not merely a policy objective but a democratic imperative,” she said, adding that women, youths, elderly citizens, and Persons With Disabilities must all be actively included.
She further instructed officials to identify communities with historically low voter turnout and develop targeted strategies to improve participation.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment, Babalola said INEC is determined to ensure that voters are properly informed ahead of the election.
“Every eligible voter must know why voting matters, how to vote correctly, where to vote, and when to vote,” she said.
INEC added that it remains focused on rebuilding public trust and encouraging wider participation as preparations for the Osun 2026 election continue.