Osun poll: INEC flags 385 flashpoints, 200 difficult terrains

Ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has identified 385 flashpoints and 200 areas with difficult terrain that pose access challenges. These details were shared by Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola during a meeting with security agency heads and other stakeholders.

The risk assessment, conducted across all 30 local government areas, has been shared with security agencies to guide their operations. Babalola noted that field officers are conducting ground truthing to refine these assessments. "We identified 385 flashpoints in the state, which have been shared with the security agencies. We also identified difficult terrains to guide their operations, because there are still places in the state that are not motorable and cannot be easily accessed," she stated.

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We identified 385 flashpoints in the state, which have been shared with the security agencies. We also identified difficult terrains to guide their operations, because there are still places in the state that are not motorable and cannot be easily accessed.

INEC has received approximately 75% of the materials required for the election, with non-statutory materials already deployed. Babalola expressed confidence in the security agencies' assurances of a peaceful election, emphasizing that peace is paramount for voter participation. "Because if we conduct an election and there is no peace, even if we make the best plans and nobody comes out to vote on election day, it will be an exercise in futility," she added. INEC remains committed to conducting free, fair, credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.

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Because if we conduct an election and there is no peace, even if we make the best plans and nobody comes out to vote on election day, it will be an exercise in futility.