The recent governorship election in Osun State faced notable challenges, including delayed voting and issues with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), according to the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub (EU-SDGN EOH).

On election day, the Hub deployed 823 accredited observers across the state's 30 local government areas to monitor various aspects of the electoral process. In a preliminary statement presented in Osogbo, Lanre Arogundade, the executive director of the International Press Centre (IPC), outlined the observations made by the team.

The observers reported that while polling officials were present with the necessary materials in 726 out of 823 polling units, there were significant delays in the commencement of voting in several locations. The EU-SDGN EOH urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate action to ensure that election personnel and materials were deployed to areas where voting had not started by noon.

In addition to logistical challenges, the observers raised concerns about the technical difficulties associated with the BVAS, which is essential for verifying and accrediting voters. They called for urgent technical support in polling units where these issues were causing delays in the accreditation process.

The Hub also highlighted the need for improved accessibility for vulnerable voters, including the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities. They emphasized that authorities must ensure these groups can participate in the electoral process safely and with dignity.

Security was another focal point of the observers' report. They recommended that security personnel maintain a visible yet restrained presence at polling units and collation centres to avoid any perception of intimidation. The observers stressed the importance of monitoring high-risk areas and ensuring the safe movement of election officials and materials.

Furthermore, the EU-SDGN EOH called upon political parties and candidates to adhere to lawful observation practices and to discourage any forms of vote buying or intimidation at polling units. They warned against unofficial announcements of results, urging the media to wait for the official declaration from INEC before reporting election outcomes.

The observers noted that their monitoring would extend beyond polling units to include the counting, collation, and transmission of results at various levels, including the Local Government and State Collation Centres. A comprehensive post-election report will be released following the official declaration of results.

Describing the Osun governorship election as a critical test of the new electoral legal framework, the EU-SDGN EOH emphasized its significance as a bellwether for the upcoming 2027 General Election. They urged all political parties and candidates to maintain calm and pursue any grievances through lawful channels, in accordance with the Peace Accord signed on July 30, 2026.