#OsunDecides2026: INEC cancels results of some polling units in Ife Central

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria has canceled election results from multiple polling units within the Ife Central Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State. The cancellations, announced on Saturday, August 15, 2026, were attributed to alleged over-voting and other irregularities identified during the collation process.

Election observers from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) reported the cancellations. Specifically, results from Polling Unit 11 in Registration Area 9 (Iremo V) and Polling Unit 17 in Registration Area 4 (Ilare IV) were nullified due to suspected over-voting. In a separate incident, voting did not occur at Polling Unit 14 because voters reportedly refused to participate, citing a shortage of ballot papers, despite the number of available papers exceeding collected Permanent Voter Cards.

The final announced result for Ife Central LGA showed the Accord Party securing 21,171 votes, placing it ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which garnered 15,913 votes. A total of 39,330 votes were cast from 39,990 accredited voters in the LGA, with 950 votes being rejected.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES correspondents on the ground reported various issues across the state, including instances of vote trading at polling units. The election, which involves fifteen political parties, has seen a close contest emerge between the Accord Party candidate and the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke of the APC, and the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Voter turnout varied across the LGAs, with some areas reporting impressive participation while others saw lower numbers.