By Lateef Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up preparations for the August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State, with a renewed focus on tackling voter apathy and improving public participation in the electoral process.
Speaking during a Joint Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) and Gender and Inclusivity (G&I) Implementation Meeting in Osogbo on Monday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, described low voter turnout as one of the most significant challenges facing elections in Nigeria.
She noted that despite improvements in electoral administration over the years, many eligible voters continue to stay away from the polls due to misinformation, distrust in the electoral system, inadequate knowledge of voting procedures and general political disengagement.
According to Babalola, sustained voter education and strategic public engagement remain critical to reversing the trend and encouraging broader participation in elections.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission recognises that one of the greatest challenges confronting electoral participation in Nigeria is voter apathy,” she said.
As part of efforts to address the challenge, the REC directed officials responsible for voter education to intensify awareness campaigns on voter registration, transfer of registration, replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, election timelines and voting procedures.
She also urged electoral officers to strengthen grassroots mobilisation by engaging residents in markets, schools, religious centres, traditional institutions, motor parks and community associations across the state.
Babalola specifically instructed officials to identify communities with historically low voter turnout and prioritise voter education activities in those areas.
She further emphasised the importance of collaboration with political parties, civil society organisations, youth and women groups, labour unions, religious leaders and traditional rulers to build confidence in the electoral process.
The INEC official also warned against the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, stressing that false narratives could erode public trust in elections if left unchecked.
On inclusivity, she reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that women, youths, persons with disabilities, elderly citizens and other vulnerable groups are fully integrated into the electoral process.
“Our goal must be to facilitate an election that is peaceful, inclusive, credible, transparent, and characterised by substantial voter participation,” she stated.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Osun State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, pledged the agency’s support for INEC’s voter mobilization efforts through its network of community orientation officers across the state’s 30 local government areas.
Representatives of civil society organizations, including Kimpact Development Initiative, also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting voter education initiatives and efforts to combat vote-buying, misinformation and other threats to electoral integrity ahead of the governorship poll.
