OSOGBO – Ahead of the upcoming Osun State gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15, 2026, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, has reiterated the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) commitment to a transparent and hitch-free exercise. Speaking on the commission’s operational readiness, the REC assured the electorate that all necessary personnel and materials would be deployed to polling units well in advance to ensure the voting process proceeds seamlessly. ENSURING ELECTORAL INTEGRITY Dr. Agboke emphasized that INEC remains focused on upholding the sanctity of the ballot. He noted that the commission has concluded the training of ad-hoc staff and the configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to prevent irregularities. "Our commitment is to ensure that the people’s votes count. We will be waiting for voters at their designated polling units to perform their civic duty, and we have put measures in place to guarantee that the process is free, fair, and credible," the REC stated. PREPARATIONS AND LOGISTICS With the election less than two months away, INEC has finalized the timetable for the movement of sensitive materials. The commission is working closely with security agencies to secure the deployment of personnel to all 30 local government areas in the state. Dr. Agboke urged political stakeholders and the general public to cooperate with electoral officials to ensure a peaceful environment throughout the voting and collation process. A CRITICAL TEST FOR DEMOCRACY As the Osun governorship election serves as one of the final major electoral exercises before the 2027 general elections, national attention remains fixed on the state. Both the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and his challengers have intensified their campaigns, with the electoral body calling for maturity and adherence to the Electoral Act. INEC has further cautioned against vote-buying and electoral violence, promising that the commission’s field officers are empowered to handle any disruptions swiftly to maintain the integrity of the results. Eligible voters are encouraged to confirm their polling unit details via the official INEC portal as the commission prepares for the final countdown to the August 15 poll.