Osun NAWOJ Commends INEC on Successful Conduct of Governorship Election
…Says BVAS Face Capture with Thumb Display Was Effective…
The Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the August 15, 2026 Osun Governorship Election.
In a statement by NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola and Secretary Oluwaranti Ojewumi, the professional female journalists association said the election was one of the most orderly and credible exercises in the state in recent years, particularly guided with the Electoral Act.
NAWOJ specifically praised INEC for the improved functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, which effectively captured electorates during the election, noting that the upgraded face capturing feature with thumb display of the BVAS, worked effectively across polling units in the state and helped reduce cases of voter impersonation.
“The BVAS upgrade gave voters confidence. The face capture alongside thumb verification made accreditation faster and more transparent. It was a good improvement,” – NAWOJ stated.
The Women journalists also applauded specifically the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the state management, and ad-hoc and permanent staff for their professionalism and neutrality throughout the process, while it observed that officials arrived early, followed due process, and handled challenges calmly in most LGAs of the state.
“From what we monitored, INEC personnel conducted themselves professionally. That contributed largely to the peace we witnessed,” while adding that prioritising attention on the aged, nursing mothers, pregnant women and Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, was a major highlight of the poll.
NAWOJ said the arrangement reduced stress, prevented stampede, and encouraged more women and elderly people to come out and vote. It showed that INEC and other stakeholders were intentional about inclusion.”
The number one women led association in Osun state urged INEC to institutionalise these strategies for all future elections in Nigeria, and also called on political parties to extend the same consideration to vulnerable groups in their campaign and post-election programs.
While commending the commission, NAWOJ eulogised that elections should not exclude anyone because of age, health, or disability, adding that Osun state has set a good example, it urged INEC to sustain and improve on the tempo for future elections in Nigeria.
The association also recommended more voter education, early deployment of materials, and continued training of personnel to build on the gains recorded in Osun.
“We charge INEC to keep up this standard. Nigerians deserve credible elections, and Osun has shown that it is possible,” NAWOJ said.
It can be recalled that on August 16, 2026, The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogundele declared Governor Ademola Adeleke of the ACCORD Party winner of the Saturday, August 15 election with 511,067 votes.
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