INEC Sets August 1 for Mock Accreditation Exercise Ahead of Osun Governorship Poll, Clarifies No Voting Will Take Place

Osogbo — July 30, 2026 | AccordWatch

INEC Sets August 1 for Mock Accreditation Exercise Ahead of Osun Governorship Poll, Clarifies No Voting Will Take Place

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has scheduled a mock accreditation exercise for Saturday, August 1, 2026, as part of preparations for the state's governorship election, with voter education advocates urging residents to understand the exercise for what it is — a technical test, not a vote.

According to a notice shared by civic and voter education advocate Ayeni Opeyemi Peter, the exercise is designed solely to test the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines that will be deployed on election day, and does not involve any actual voting.

Only voters registered at polling units specifically selected by INEC for the exercise are expected to take part. The selected units span Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun, Boripe, Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade, Obokun, Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South, and Ejigbo local government areas.

Voters attending the exercise are required to bring their Permanent Voter Card (PVC), without which accreditation cannot proceed. Participants are expected to join the queue at their polling unit, present their PVC, and allow the BVAS to verify their fingerprint or facial identity — after which their role in the exercise is complete.

The notice was explicit that no ballot papers will be issued, no thumbprinting for any candidate or party will occur, and no voting will take place during the exercise. It urged residents not to be misled into believing the election has begun, cautioning against the spread of misinformation to that effect.

INEC says the mock exercise will help the Commission identify and resolve technical issues with the BVAS machines ahead of time, improve the speed of accreditation, and reduce delays on the actual election day, which holds on August 15.

Residents whose polling units fall within the selected areas have been encouraged to turn out with their PVCs and cooperate peacefully with INEC officials, while civic advocates are calling on the public to help spread accurate information to prevent confusion ahead of the exercise.