By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents of Osun State that “the ballot, not the bullet,” will determine the state’s next governor, as the commission intensified preparations for the August 15 governorship election.
The assurance was given on Friday, 31 July, 2026 by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), during a visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye II, where he sought the support of traditional institutions in promoting peaceful participation in the election, as the commission continued its statewide readiness assessment ahead of the off-cycle poll.
Amupitan described the visit as part of INEC’s institutional responsibility to brief traditional rulers on preparations for the election and to solicit their support in mobilising citizens for peaceful participation. He said the exercise would only be successful if it was conducted peacefully.
“The election will only be successful if it is peaceful, voting starts and ends on time, and results are announced promptly,” he said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that additional security personnel would be deployed to curb electoral violence and urged traditional rulers to use their influence to appeal to political actors and their supporters to embrace peace.
He noted that the Osun governorship election would serve as a critical test for the commission ahead of future elections, including the 2027 general elections.
He further disclosed that a mock accreditation exercise would be conducted in selected polling units across the state’s three senatorial districts to test the commission’s technology and operational readiness before election day.
Amupitan warned residents against misinformation and disinformation aimed at discouraging voter participation, assuring that adequate measures had been put in place to safeguard election officials, materials and voters.
“Ballot boxes, not bullets, will determine the future of Osun State,” he declared.
Responding on behalf of the palace, Hon. Justice Kayode Adebiyigbe commended the commission for its efforts to provide a level playing field for all candidates and appealed to residents to maintain peace during the election period despite the ongoing Osun-Osogbo Festival.
He pledged the palace’s continued prayers and support for a peaceful, credible and widely accepted election. The monarch thereafter presented a gift to the INEC chairman.
Following the palace visit, Amupitan proceeded to inspect the ongoing training of Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs), where he charged participants to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and operational manuals.
He stressed the importance of confidentiality in handling sensitive election materials, warning against delays or diversion of materials to polling units.
“This is a national assignment and a call to duty. Do not allow politicians to influence your conduct. Stick to the rules and master the operational manual,” he told the officials.
The INEC Chairman also visited the commission’s office in Obokun Local Government Area to assess its level of preparedness, before concluding the day’s activities with a meeting with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on election logistics.
