INEC OSUN HOLDS ELECTORAL RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP, VOWS PEACEFUL, CREDIBLE AUG 15 POLL
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Osun State has intensified preparations for the August 15, 2026 governorship election with an Electoral Risk Management, ERM, Sensitization Workshop aimed at safeguarding a peaceful, credible and transparent process.
The workshop held on Tuesday at Halatria Hotels & Towers, Osogbo, and brought together key electoral stakeholders, security agencies, civil society groups, media, development partners and the media.
The ERM workshop was presided over by the National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, alongside distinguished officials from INEC Headquarters, Abuja.
Also present was the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Barrister Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Adelusi Victoria Temitayo, Heads of Departments, Electoral Officers, and representatives from critical institutions.
Speaking at the event, the INEC Commissioner, Prof Kunle Ajayi emphasised that Electoral Risk Management is a “proactive and systematic framework designed to identify, assess, and mitigate potential threats that could undermine the credibility, safety, and overall success of elections.”
According to INEC, the increasing complexity of the electoral environment makes it imperative for all stakeholders to deepen collaboration, enhance coordination, and jointly develop strategies to address emerging risks before, during, and after the election.
In her welcome address, the Osun REC, Mrs Babalola stated that the workshop serves as a critical platform for meaningful engagement among stakeholders, aimed at sharing experiences, strengthening institutional synergy, and building a common understanding of electoral risks and mitigation measures.
She reiterated the mission of the commission to conduct a fair and credible elections in Osun state, adding that the collaboration with stakeholders embraces team work, while the ERM is organised to proffer mitigation to it by the partners, so that the election will be violent and rancour free.
The participants, which include Security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Immigration Services NIS, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, CSOs, Media and Electoral Officers among others, resolved to ensure the forthcoming governorship election is conducted in an atmosphere that is free, fair, credible, peaceful, inclusive and transparent, in line with democratic best practices.
The workshop marks another step in INEC’s ongoing preparations under the leadership of Osun REC, Barr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, to safeguard electoral integrity and reinforce public confidence ahead of August 15, 2026 OsunDecides.
Mapping of risk zones, identification of indicators, and mitigation of the risks was extensively treated at the Election Risk Management ERM workshop in Osun state.
The Commission also held series of workshop with stakeholders according to INEC timetable for the forthcoming election.
INEC has fixed Saturday, August 15, 2026 for the election. Campaigns are scheduled to commence March 11, 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.