The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) says the 2026 Osun governorship election has been generally peaceful, with some operational challenges.

CDD-West Africa, through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), issued a preliminary statement on Saturday in Abuja, signed by its director, Dauda Garuba, and chairman, Prof. Victor Adetula.

The centre said it monitored the election across Osun’s 30 local government areas, 332 registration areas and 3,763 polling units.

It said its findings were based on reports from field observers and reviews of credible media reports across the state.

According to CDD-EAC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployment was broadly successful, with 89.1 per cent of observed polling units recording officials’ arrival before 8:30 a.m.

It said officials arrived at the remaining 10.9 per cent of observed polling units between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

The centre said INEC reported that 3,556 polling units, representing 94.5 per cent, had opened by 8:30 a.m.

However, it identified delays in some locations, including Ife Central and Aiyedire LGAs.

The CDD-EAC reported that a political party agent allegedly possessed the voters’ register before INEC officials arrived at Ife Central, which required clarification.

The centre also reported operational challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including slow processing and biometric verification issues.

It said BVAS problems were reported in Irepodun, Ejigbo, Obokun, Osogbo, Olorunda, Ola Oluwa, Ede North and Ede South LGAs.

The CDD-EAC urged INEC to provide functional backup equipment and prompt technical support when BVAS malfunctions.

The centre also raised concerns about vote buying, as observers reported vote solicitation around polling units in Ilesa East and Ola Oluwa.

It said media reports also alleged vote buying involving agents of APC and Accord at a polling unit in Irewole Local Government Area.

The CDD-EAC said ICPC personnel arrested an individual in Irepodun for allegedly possessing signed paper tallies.

It urged relevant agencies to investigate credible allegations of vote buying and prosecute established violations.

On security, the centre said voting remained peaceful in many locations but expressed concern over violent incidents reported in Ejigbo and Modakeke.

It said suspected thugs disrupted voting at Ejigbo Ward 4, Polling Unit 13, where ADC governorship candidate Najeem Salaam voted.

The centre also stated that allegations of voters being tear-gassed in Modakeke and Obokun should be independently investigated.

The CDD-EAC called on security agencies to remain politically neutral, exercise restraint and protect voters regardless of political affiliation.

It commended Osun voters, INEC officials and security personnel, while stressing that isolated violence, vote buying and technical challenges should not be dismissed.

The centre said it would continue monitoring voting, counting and collation before issuing a comprehensive post-election assessment.

(NAN)