Osun Decides: Situation Room Raises Concerns Over BVAS, Vote Buying, Security

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised concerns over delays, BVAS challenges, vote buying and isolated disruptions during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.

In its interim statement issued at 4:30pm on Saturday, the Situation Room said the election had generally been calm and peaceful despite the charged political atmosphere preceding the poll.

The group deployed accredited observers across all 30 local government areas and also received reports from partner organisations, including CLEEN Foundation, Centre for Democracy and Development and Kimpact Development Initiative.

It said INEC personnel arrived early and voting commenced at the scheduled 8:30am in 87 per cent of the polling units observed.

However, voting started late at some polling units, including locations in Olorunda, Ede North and Ife North Local Government Areas.

The Situation Room also reported congestion and difficulties at some polling units, particularly where large numbers of registered voters were served by inadequate BVAS devices.

It cited a polling unit in Ila-Orangun, Osun Central, with more than 1,100 registered voters, where only one BVAS device was reportedly available.

The group also reported cases of ink pads failing to print effectively at several polling units in Ilesa West, although it said the problem at PU 13, Oba Ajimoko High School, Ward 5, Ilesa West, was escalated to INEC and resolved.

On accreditation, the Situation Room said Presiding Officers followed prescribed procedures in addressing BVAS failures while allowing eligible accredited voters to vote.

The organisation commended election officials for demonstrating professionalism and commitment to the electoral process.

It also noted the presence of party agents at most polling units visited, stressing that their role was important in safeguarding the integrity of the election but should remain within the limits prescribed by law.

The Situation Room reported cases of vote buying and other forms of electoral inducement during the election.

It specifically cited the distribution of Jollof rice and drinks at PU008, Ward 6, Isokan Local Government Area, which it said caused significant disorder.

The organisation warned that electoral credibility is undermined when voters are pressured or induced with money, gifts or other benefits.

It urged political actors to respect the freedom of voters to make their choices without coercion.

The Situation Room also recorded isolated security-related incidents.

At PU005, Egbeda Village II, Egbeda Ward, Boripe LGA, an observer was reportedly physically harassed by party agents.

At PU006, Ward 5, Irewole LGA, the organisation received reports of thugs causing chaos.

It, however, said security personnel were adequately deployed across all the polling units visited.

The civil society coalition also raised concerns over access for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable voters.

It said some polling units were inaccessible because of physical barriers, including gutters and staircases.

The Situation Room also observed the use of bold posters for deaf voters at several polling units but said assistive devices were unavailable at PU04, Ward 1, Ife South, where 10 voters with disabilities were reportedly absent.

It called for reasonable assistance for persons with disabilities in line with the law and INEC procedures.

With counting and results management already underway in some locations, the Situation Room described the stage as one of the most critical phases of the electoral process.

It urged that ballots be properly sorted, counted and recorded, with result forms accurately completed in the presence of accredited party agents and other authorised observers.

The group also called for polling-unit results to be announced in accordance with the law and procedures, with copies made available to those entitled to receive them.

It warned that any disagreement over results should be documented and pursued through appropriate legal and administrative channels rather than through violence or disruption.

The Situation Room said it observed the first upload on the IReV portal by 3:49pm.

As voting continued in some polling units at the time of its statement, the organisation urged Osun residents to remain calm and cast their ballots.

It said particular attention would now be paid to the accuracy and transparency of the transition from polling-unit results to ward, local government and state-level collation.

The Situation Room said its monitoring would continue as the election moves into the crucial counting and collation stages.