By Salami Abdulrahaman | Abuja
ABUJA – The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), has flagged technical challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), vote buying and isolated incidents of violence in the ongoing 2026 Osun State governorship election.
In its preliminary statement issued on Saturday, August 15, 2026, CDD said it was monitoring the election across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas, 332 registration areas, and 3,763 polling units The assessment was based on reports from field observers and credible media monitoring.
INEC Deployment Generally Early
CDD-EAC said INEC generally performed well in early deployment. 89.1% of polling units monitored by its observers recorded the arrival of INEC officials before 8:30 a.m.
INEC’s own situation report indicated that 3,556 of the 3,763 polling units, representing 94.5%, had opened by 8:30 a.m., while the remaining 207 units became operational by 9:00 a.m
However, CDD identified isolated delays in Ife Central and Aiyedire LGAs. It also called for clarification over a report that a political party agent was in possession of the voters’ register before INEC officials arrived at a polling unit in Ife Central, saying the incident raised questions about the custody of sensitive materials.
BVAS Challenges
The performance of BVAS emerged as a major operational concern.
CDD-EAC reported cases of slow accreditation, fingerprint authentication difficulties, and malfunctioning devices in parts of Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda and Ola Oluwa LGAs
The organisation also cited media reports of prolonged voting delays in Ede North and Ede South linked to BVAS challenges. It urged INEC to deploy prompt technical support to prevent disruptions from disenfranchising voters.
Vote Buying, Inducement Recorded
CDD described vote buying and electoral inducement as a major concern.
Its observers recorded isolated cases of campaign activities and vote solicitation around polling units. Media reports also cited alleged vote-buying involving party agents at AUD Primary School, Atile, in Irewole LGA.
The organisation further reported the arrest of an individual by ICPC officials at a polling unit in Irepodun LGA over alleged possession of signed paper tallies. CDD commended the intervention and called for a transparent investigation.
Isolated violence in Ejigbo, Modakeke
While voting was largely peaceful in many locations, CDD raised concerns over violence at specific polling units.
The most significant incident occurred at Polling Unit 13, Ward 4, Ejigbo LGA, where ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam reportedly voted. Suspected thugs disrupted the unit, forcing voters and officials to flee and temporarily halting voting.
CDD also referenced allegations by Governor Ademola Adeleke that voters were tear-gassed in parts of Modakeke and Obokun. The organisation stressed that the allegations should be independently investigated.
Overall Conduct Orderly
Despite the challenges, CDD said conduct across the majority of monitored locations remained largely orderly. Party agents and observers were generally able to observe proceedings, and persons with disabilities were given priority at some polling units.
Peaceful participation was reported in Ede North, Olorunda, Ilesa East, Atakunmosa East, Iwo, Orolu, Boluwaduro, and Egbedore LGAs
CDD Calls for Urgent Action
In its preliminary assessment, CDD described the election as a _“generally operational but uneven electoral process.
It called on INEC to provide functioning backup equipment and prompt technical support at polling units with BVAS challenges. It also urged investigation into the custody of electoral materials and stronger enforcement against vote buying and campaigning around polling units.
CDD further called for investigations into violence in Ejigbo and Modakeke and urged authorities to hold perpetrators accountable.
It urged political parties and candidates to instruct supporters to refrain from violence, intimidation, and interference as collation begins.
The organisation said it was too early to make a definitive judgment on credibility and would continue monitoring voting, counting, and collation before issuing a comprehensive post-election assessment.
CDD commended Osun voters who turned out peacefully but warned that isolated cases of violence, vote buying, and technical difficulties must not be ignored.
