Voting in the 2026 Osun State governorship election has largely remained peaceful, but late arrival of election officials, BVAS challenges and alleged vote trading have emerged as key concerns, according to Dataphyte Foundation’s mid-day election analysis.
The organisation said its Election Situation Room processed 394 field updates between 6:46 a.m. and 11:05 a.m., comprising 319 election process updates and 75 incident reports submitted by more than 60 observers monitoring 140 polling units across all 30 Local Government Areas of the state.
The analysis examined the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), deployment of election materials, BVAS performance, security, voter participation, vote trading and other issues affecting the credibility of the election.
Voting largely peaceful across Osun
Dataphyte said the dominant picture from its observers was one of a largely peaceful voting process, despite isolated incidents of violence and other concerns.
The organisation recorded 34 updates confirming the early arrival of election officials, while 18 reports showed that priority access was given to vulnerable voters, including Persons With Disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.
At least 26 reports specifically described the atmosphere at monitored polling units as peaceful.
Observers in Ada/Boripe, Ido-Osun, Egbedore, Iwo and Ile-Ife also reported early voter turnout, with some voters arriving at polling locations as early as 7 a.m.
Dataphyte also received 10 reports confirming that BVAS devices were functioning properly and successfully accrediting voters during the observation period.
However, the organisation said the positive reports were not consistent across all polling units.
Late arrival of officials, materials persists
The late arrival of INEC officials and election materials was identified as one of the most recurring operational problems.
As of 11:05 a.m., Dataphyte had recorded 24 reports of late arrival. Observers in Ayedaade, Ifedayo and Ede South LGAs said election officials and/or materials arrived less than an hour before the scheduled 8:30 a.m. commencement of voting.
In some locations, the delays were reportedly linked to logistical vehicles serving several polling units before reaching their assigned locations.
Although voting eventually began in some affected areas, Dataphyte warned that late deployment could reduce the time available for voters to complete accreditation and cast their ballots.
The organisation called on INEC to address delayed polling units and ensure that voters are not disadvantaged by logistical failures.
BVAS challenges raise concern
The performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) also featured prominently in the situation report.
While 10 updates confirmed successful BVAS operations, Dataphyte recorded another 10 incidents involving malfunctioning devices or slow voter capture.
The incidents were concentrated in Ede South, Ilesha East and Osogbo.
Dataphyte warned that prolonged technical problems, particularly where backup arrangements are unavailable, could disenfranchise voters.
They urged INEC to provide adequate technical support and backup systems to polling units experiencing persistent BVAS difficulties.
Accreditation and voting delays reported
The observers also documented 11 incidents involving delays in accreditation and voting.
According to Dataphyte, the reported causes included high voter turnout outpacing BVAS accreditation speeds, shortages of materials for displaying or pasting voter registers, and disagreements over queue management.
The organisation urged election officials to process voters efficiently while ensuring that established electoral procedures are followed.
Security presence largely visible
Security personnel were generally visible across the polling units monitored by Dataphyte.
The organisation recorded 24 reports confirming the presence and adequate deployment of security personnel.
Despite the generally peaceful environment, isolated incidents were reported.
At Modakeke III Registration Area Centre in Ife East LGA, a physical altercation reportedly broke out between supporters of rival political parties. Security personnel intervened and contained the situation.
At Ogbaagba II RAC in Ola Oluwa LGA, a Dataphyte observer reportedly faced intimidation from security personnel despite presenting an INEC observer accreditation tag.
Dataphyte urged security agencies to remain professional, impartial and restrained and to allow accredited observers, journalists and other authorised stakeholders to perform their duties without intimidation.
Vote trading remains a major concern
Alleged vote trading and voter inducement emerged as one of the most significant electoral integrity concerns in the report.
Dataphyte said its Situation Room had recorded four incidents involving alleged vote trading or voter inducement.
Three of the reports came from OAU Quarters polling units in Ife Central LGA, where observers reportedly heard discussions between voters and party agents concerning alleged cash payments of between N15,000 and N25,000 in exchange for votes.
The organization said the reports were being documented and assessed based on available evidence.
The organisation described vote trading as a serious threat to electoral integrity and called on relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action where violations are established.
It also urged political parties and candidates to instruct their agents and supporters to desist from vote-buying and other forms of voter inducement.
Ballot secrecy and observer access flagged
Dataphyte also raised concerns about ballot secrecy and access for accredited observers.
At Iree in Boripe LGA, an observer reported that party agents were clustering around the voting booth, potentially compromising the secrecy of voters’ choices. Security personnel reportedly intervened.
The organisation said ballot secrecy was essential to protecting voters from coercion, while accredited observers played an important role in independently documenting the conduct of the election.
It urged INEC officials and security personnel to ensure that polling units protect voters’ privacy and allow accredited observers to perform their legitimate duties.
Other electoral concerns emerge
The situation room also recorded 10 disputes involving voters, party agents and election officials.
One incident in Orolu LGA reportedly involved an altercation following allegations that rival party agents were attempting to induce the same group of voters.
Dataphyte also reported an allegation of underage voting at Ido-Osun Dispensary in Egbedore LGA, alongside other queue-management and procedural challenges linked to high voter turnout.
Dataphyte calls for action
Dataphyte called on INEC to deploy technical support and backup BVAS devices to polling units experiencing persistent accreditation challenges, particularly in Ede South, Ilesha East and Osogbo.
The organisation also urged the commission to address logistical delays, reinforce procedures around ballot secrecy and queue management, and ensure that election materials are properly accounted for through voting and collation.
Security agencies, it said, should investigate credible reports of vote trading and voter inducement while maintaining professionalism and impartiality in their dealings with voters, observers, journalists and party agents.
Political parties and candidates were urged to direct their agents and supporters to avoid vote-buying, intimidation and other electoral malpractice and encourage peaceful conduct throughout voting and collation.
Voters were also encouraged to remain peaceful, protect the secrecy of their ballots, avoid inducements and report credible electoral violations through appropriate channels.
Dataphyte said its Election Situation Room would continue monitoring the election through the close of polls, counting and collation, with attention to BVAS performance, voter turnout, security, vote trading, violence, ballot secrecy, observer access and result-management procedures.
The organisation urged all stakeholders to allow the electoral process to proceed peacefully and transparently and to respect the outcome of a credible and lawful election.
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