The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that all security personnel deployed for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State will be required to take an oath of neutrality as part of efforts to ensure a free, fair and credible electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Osun State, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ briefing in Osogbo, stating that the commission would conduct a series of training programmes for security agencies before the election. According to her, the state-level training will hold from July 13 to 15, while senatorial district sessions are scheduled for July 17 to 19.
Babalola said the commission considers security a critical component of successful elections, noting that some officers participating in the poll may be involved in election duties for the first time. She explained that the neutrality oath is intended to reinforce professionalism and impartiality among security personnel.
She also announced that the training of Supervisory Presiding Officers will take place between July 31 and August 2, while Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers will undergo training on August 9 in preparation for the election.
On election technology, the REC said INEC will deploy 3,763 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices across all polling units in the state, with an additional 664 machines reserved as backup. She added that the devices will not only accredit voters but also upload polling unit results directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency.
Babalola further revealed that about 80 per cent of the non-sensitive election materials have already been received and distributed to local government areas, while sensitive materials will be delivered closer to the election date under strict security arrangements. She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a transparent, peaceful and credible governorship election through collaboration with security agencies, the media and other stakeholders
