As preparations intensify for the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has charged all Electoral Officers and staff to exhibit the highest level of professionalism and commitment as the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise commences.
Speaking during a strategic engagement session held on Tuesday at the INEC State Office in Osogbo, Dr. Agboke underscored the pivotal role of staff, particularly at the grassroots level, in ensuring the credibility and efficiency of the electoral process.
“This meeting is very crucial at this point in time because of the importance of the upcoming electoral exercises. There shall be no room for indolence and lackadaisical attitudes of any kind. The time to work is now: Are you all ready for the work?” he charged.
The CVR exercise, which forms part of INEC’s preparations for the Osun governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, is set to begin with online registration on Monday, August 18, 2025. Physical registration at INEC offices across the state’s 30 local government areas, including the state headquarters, will follow on Monday, August 25, 2025.
To ensure wider coverage and accessibility, Dr. Agboke revealed that two registration centres would be set up at each location. He further outlined the four key services that eligible voters can access during the exercise: new registration for persons who have attained 18 years of age; correction or update of details on Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs); transfer of registration to new polling units; and replacement of lost or damaged PVCs.
While urging staff to brace for operational challenges such as crowd management, security threats, and political interference, the REC issued a firm directive against any form of misconduct or compromise. He warned against soliciting or accepting favours and cautioned against falling prey to acts of nepotism, favouritism, or dereliction of duty.
“You must not perform below expectations. Best practice standard is expected from you. You must not let the commission down in any form. You must show competence, professionalism and the trust reposed in you by the people of Osun State,” he declared.
Dr. Agboke also emphasized that integrity must remain the guiding principle throughout the exercise, stating: “Do not allow the evil ones whisper criminality into your hearing. This is not the time to use your selfish interest to disorganise the well-structured arrangements made by the commission. This is not the time for redundancy, truancy, or carelessness. You have a statutory responsibility, and you must not fail.”
He commended the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the staff thus far and urged them to sustain the same level of diligence and patriotism as the commission embarks on this critical phase of the electoral process.
The CVR exercise is a vital component in INEC’s preparations for a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State, with the commission reaffirming its resolve to uphold democratic values and ensure inclusive voter participation.