The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged political parties in Osun State to promptly report any irregularities observed during the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Mutiu Agboke, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun, stressed that immediate reporting is essential to enable the commission to take necessary corrective action.
Agboke made the statement on Monday during a field monitoring visit to several registration centres in the state. He led INEC’s state management team to assess the conduct of the CVR and engage directly with political party agents. The visited locations included Ilare Methodist Primary School in Obokun, Saint Andrew Primary School in Boripe, and Holy Michael Primary School in Ifelodun Local Government Areas.
The REC explained that the primary aim of the inspection was to ensure the registration process proceeded orderly and to gather firsthand feedback from officials and party representatives. He noted a public awareness gap, stating many people remain unaware that the registration exercise has been decentralised to Registration Area levels. “We cannot assume all activities are running smoothly without physically observing the process and speaking with stakeholders at the centres,” Agboke said. He added that visible commission oversight would reassure agents that their observations were being taken seriously.
Regarding political campaigns, Agboke clarified that such activities are largely internal party matters. However, he confirmed INEC continues to monitor developments to ensure compliance with electoral regulations. “We are tracking the activities of the parties and will carry out oversight where necessary,” he stated.
On the timeline, Agboke disclosed that the CVR would continue until shortly before the next election cycle. Registration will eventually be paused temporarily to facilitate the printing and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). “The totality of the exercise may run until around August, but before the election in Osun the registration will stop so that all cards can be printed and distributed to voters,” he explained.
At the monitored centres, representatives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party were present, with security personnel maintaining order.
The REC’s field visit underscores INEC’s emphasis on transparent, stakeholder-engaged administration of voter registration ahead of future electoral cycles in the state.
