Osun PVC centre attack won’t disrupt election, INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that an attack on a voter registration center in Osun State will not derail the upcoming governorship election. The incident, which occurred at a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection point in Okuku, involved suspected hoodlums attacking staff and stealing electoral materials.

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The Osun incident has been reported to the police. As we speak, it is already public knowledge that the police have started an investigation.

Mr. Dayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed that the attack has been reported to the police, who have launched an investigation. "We also trust that they’ll be able to recover our devices, including the BVAS that were reportedly carted away," Oketola stated, expressing confidence in the police's ability to apprehend the suspects and recover the stolen equipment.

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We also trust that they’ll be able to recover our devices, including the BVAS that were reportedly carted away.

Despite the disruption, Oketola emphasized that INEC's preparations for the election remain on track. "INEC cannot be distracted. We will conduct a free and fair election in Osun. That incident cannot distract us. The election will go on as planned, and we expect it to be free, fair and credible at the end of the day," he asserted.

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It is a matter already under investigation, I cannot actually comment too much on it.

INEC has configured 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for the election, with an additional 664 units serving as backups. The commission has also established numerous Registration Area Centres across the state to ensure smooth operations on election day. Oketola reassured the public that any stolen materials would be replaced and that the incident would not disrupt the electoral process.

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But I know that that cannot distract INEC from carrying out the activities preceding the Osun governorship election.