The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH) has identified delayed voting, technical difficulties with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and logistical gaps as key challenges recorded during the Osun State governorship election.
The observation group said its preliminary assessment was based on reports from 823 accredited observers deployed across the state’s 30 local government areas. According to the observers, complete sets of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials were available in 726 of the polling units monitored.
The EU observers said some polling units experienced delays in commencing voting, while BVAS devices reportedly failed to properly capture voters’ biometric information in some locations.
The Hub called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide immediate technical assistance and deploy backup BVAS devices where necessary. It also urged the commission to respond promptly in locations where voting had not commenced by midday.
The observations are significant because BVAS has become a central component of Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly for voter accreditation and the electronic handling of result forms. Technical failures can delay voting and potentially discourage voters from participating in the exercise.
The EU-backed observers also raised concerns about accessibility for elderly voters, pregnant women and persons with disabilities (PWDs). They called for appropriate assistive measures to ensure vulnerable voters could participate without unnecessary difficulties.
On security, the group urged security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout voting, counting and collation. Political parties and candidates were similarly encouraged to avoid vote-buying, intimidation and other activities capable of undermining the process.
The election is being closely watched as Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeks another term against Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other contenders.
The EU-SDGN EOH described the Osun election as a significant test of Nigeria’s electoral framework and urged candidates and parties to pursue any grievances through lawful channels.
The observers said monitoring would continue through the counting, collation and transmission stages before a comprehensive post-election report is released.
