The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has urged citizens to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Dr Agboke called for strategic collaboration with the traditional rulers across the 30 local government areas ahead of the upcoming CVR exercise.
He made this call during a sensitisation visit to the palace of the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun, in Ila-Orangun, on Tuesday.
This sensitisation visit is part of the commission’s efforts to engage stakeholders and traditional rulers on how to retrieve lost, defaced PVCs and transferring of PVC and fresh registration.
Agboke emphasised that all traditional rulers are key stakeholders in the electoral process, noting that the visit to Ila was part of INEC’s outreach to engage royal fathers in the state in mobilising their subjects.
“Our visit to Ila is for two main reasons. First, to sensitise the people about the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration in Osun State,” Agboke stated.
He expressed concern over the low turnout in past registration exercises, revealing that more than 300,000 Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, remained uncollected in the state.
“We urge the people to come out for the CVR and also collect their PVCs. This applies to first-time registrants, those seeking transfers, and people with defaced or lost cards,” the INEC REC explained.
Dr Agboke announced that online registration would commence on August 18, 2025 via the commission’s website, while physical registration would begin on August 25.
“After online registration, physical registration is compulsory. Biometric data, such as fingerprints and passport photographs, will be captured to ensure eligibility to vote,” he added.
He cautioned against double registration, stressing that it is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act, and disclosed that INEC offices in Ila, Ifedayo, and Boluwaduro local government areas will be open for the exercise.
On the second purpose of the visit, Dr Agboke said, “We implore the Orangun of Ila to help us compel the people to come out for the CVR.”
In his response, the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Oyedotun, welcomed the initiative and pledged the support of the traditional institution in sensitising the community.
“I call on all chiefs and residents of Ila to comply with the commission’s instructions and come out en masse for the CVR,” the monarch said.
Oba Oyedotun also assured that the exercise will not be delayed or suffer any setback in his domain.
