Yiaga: Osun election result accurate

Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has declared the 2026 Osun State governorship election results to be accurate and transparent. The organization's assessment, known as the Preliminary Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT), was conducted on August 15, 2026, and covered 96% of polling units in the state. Yiaga Africa's team of 300 observers and various monitors assessed INEC's performance, security agencies, and voter participation.

The organization reported that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned well in 80% of the polling units observed, with only minor malfunctions that were promptly resolved. However, the BVAS failed to authenticate the fingerprints or facial biometrics of 11% of voters, particularly the elderly. Additionally, 7% of polling units denied accreditation to voters presenting downloadable PVCs, a system introduced under the Electoral Act 2026. Yiaga Africa urged INEC to provide clear guidance on the acceptance and use of downloadable PVCs.

The organization credited INEC's Result Viewing Portal (IReV) for enhancing transparency in the results management process. Presiding officers used BVAS to scan or take snapshots of Form EC8A and transmit the results to IReV in 85% of observed polling units, while 87% transferred results from validated Form EC8A to the electronic EC8A. Ninety-nine percent of polling officials demonstrated how every ballot paper was marked, and 91% posted official results for public viewing.

Yiaga Africa's independent statistical analysis found consistency between INEC's official results and its PRVT estimates. Accord is estimated to have secured between 50.3% and 54.0% of the vote, ADC between 1.4% and 2.1%, and APC between 43.0% and 46.8%. INEC's official results mirrored Yiaga Africa's estimates, with Accord at 51.9%, ADC at 1.7%, and APC at 45.2%.

The organization emphasized that while there continued to be widespread reports of vote buying and voter inducement, the polling-unit results were accurately reflected in the official figures.