EU observers flag delayed voting, BVAS challenges in Osun election

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) reported delayed commencement of voting and technical challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during Saturday's Osun State governorship election. The Hub deployed 823 observers across the state's 30 local government areas to monitor the election process.

Of the 823 polling units observed, 726 had complete election materials available. The observers also noted delays in voting starting in some units and called for urgent action from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy personnel and materials to affected areas. The BVAS issues prompted the Hub to advocate for technical support in polling units experiencing problems with the voter accreditation system.

Concerns were raised about accessibility for vulnerable voters, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, urging authorities to ensure their safe participation in the electoral process. Security agencies were advised to maintain a visible but restrained presence at polling units and collation centers, avoiding heavy-handedness and paying attention to high-risk areas to ensure safe movement of election officials and materials.

Political parties and candidates were urged to focus on lawful observation and refrain from intimidation or vote trading. The EU-SDGN EOH warned against attempts to undermine post-election processes and urged media to refrain from announcing unofficial results, focusing instead on fact-checking during the counting and collation stages.

The Hub emphasized the significance of the Osun governorship election as a test of the new electoral legal framework and a predictor for the 2027 General Election.