#OsunDecides2026: BallotEyes, FactCheck Africa, DNN Media, Oroki Hub Raise Concerns Over BVAS Failures, Vote Buying, Polling Irregularities

By: Peter Emmanuel |

BallotEyes, the election observation initiative of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), in partnership with FactCheck Africa, Oroki Hub, Legis360 and DNN Media, has raised concerns over several irregularities observed during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, warning that technical failures, procedural lapses and organised vote-buying could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

The election observation team, which deployed 75 trained polling unit observers across the state’s 30 local government areas, said its findings were based on verified reports received through its Hybrid Situation Room as of 12:00 p.m.

The coalition said its field operation was supported by 30 stationary local government observers and three roving observers monitoring polling unit operations, voter turnout, security arrangements, compliance with electoral guidelines and the spread of election-related misinformation.

Alongside its election observation activities, the coalition said it also activated the TruthGuard Election Integrity and Misinformation Situation Room to monitor and verify election-related misinformation, disinformation, artificial intelligence-generated content and coordinated online manipulation.

Observers Commend Early Poll Opening, Strong Voter Turnout

Despite raising concerns about several developments, BallotEyes commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improvements in the early deployment of election officials and materials across most polling units.

According to the preliminary report, accreditation and voting commenced close to the scheduled time in most of the polling units observed.

The group also praised voters for turning out in large numbers during the early hours of the election.

It further commended security agencies for maintaining a visible presence at polling units across the state.

According to the observers, security personnel largely conducted themselves professionally, with no verified reports of harassment or excessive use of force by security officials at the time the report was issued.

The coalition also applauded the conduct of voters, noting that many remained patient even in locations where technical problems delayed accreditation.

BVAS Failures Affect One in Three Polling Units

One of the most significant concerns raised by the observers involved the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

According to the report, 33 per cent of the 75 polling units sampled experienced BVAS-related malfunctions.

The coalition expressed particular concern over reports suggesting that women and elderly voters were disproportionately affected by accreditation failures.

It noted that older voters often experience difficulties with fingerprint authentication because of worn fingerprint patterns.

The observers warned that prolonged technical failures could discourage participation and prevent eligible voters from exercising their constitutional right.

They argued that voters who could not remain at polling units for extended periods because of delays risked being effectively disenfranchised.

NIN Accreditation Raises Questions Over Electoral Guidelines

The coalition also questioned reports that some polling units allowed voters to be accredited using their National Identification Number (NIN) instead of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

According to the report, 27.3 per cent of the sampled polling units permitted voters to use the NIN during accreditation.

The observers noted that the PVC remains the official accreditation document under INEC guidelines.

They warned that the application of different accreditation standards across polling units could compromise the integrity of the electoral register.

The coalition urged INEC to immediately clarify whether alternative identification documents were officially approved for use during the election.

Missing Form EC 30A(I) Weakens Polling Unit Transparency

BallotEyes also reported that Form EC 30A(I), the statutory notice required to be publicly displayed at polling units, was absent in 45 per cent of the polling units observed as of 10:00 a.m.

The report identified affected polling units in Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Ife Central, Obokun and Olorunda local government areas.

According to the observers, the failure to display the form weakens transparency because voters, party agents and election observers rely on the document to verify compliance with electoral procedures.

The coalition also reported discrepancies between the number of registered voters displayed at some polling units and figures contained in INEC’s official register.

It warned that inconsistencies in voter records could trigger disputes during collation and affect public confidence in the electoral process.

Vote Buying Reports Emerge Across Ife Central, Ayedire, Ejigbo

The observers expressed serious concern over what they described as organised and widespread vote-buying across multiple local government areas.

In Ayedire Local Government Area, Ward 8, Polling Unit 001, observers reported a recurring pattern in which voters repeatedly invited the same individual into the voting cubicle.

According to the report, the repeated involvement of a single individual across multiple voting cases suggested the possibility of an organised inducement scheme.

In Ejigbo Local Government Area, a youth group reportedly intervened and disrupted an alleged vote-buying operation.

The coalition described the incident as an example of citizens actively protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

Observers also reported alleged vote-buying activities at the Awolowo Polling Unit in Aremo Ward, Ife Central Local Government Area.

According to the report, some voters remained outside the polling unit and only approached the voting queue after interacting with party agents.

The observers said representatives of multiple political parties were reportedly involved in the inducement activities.

The coalition argued that the incidents suggested a coordinated pattern of electoral inducement rather than isolated cases involving individual party supporters.

Voting Suspended in Oriade Over Shortage of Election Materials

The report also documented the temporary suspension of voting at Ward 03, Polling Unit 013, in Oriade Local Government Area.

According to the observers, voting stopped at approximately 11:30 a.m. because election officials ran out of ink pads.

The coalition described the development as a preventable logistical failure.

It warned that prolonged interruptions could discourage participation and prevent voters from remaining at polling units long enough to cast their ballots.

BallotEyes Calls for Urgent INEC Intervention

The coalition called on INEC to immediately deploy technical teams to polling units affected by BVAS failures.

It also urged the electoral commission to issue clear guidelines on accreditation procedures and ensure that the same standards are applied uniformly across all polling units.

The observers stressed the need for INEC to verify discrepancies in voter registers, ensure compliance with statutory requirements and strengthen transparency throughout the remaining stages of the electoral process.

While acknowledging improvements in logistics, voter turnout and election security, the coalition warned that unresolved technical failures, accreditation inconsistencies, missing statutory notices, vote-buying allegations and logistical shortcomings could significantly affect public confidence in the election if left unaddressed.