The Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced dates for the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, in preparation for the 2026 governorship election in the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Mutiu Agboke, made the announcement on Monday during a strategic meeting with Electoral Officers (EOs) in Osogbo.
The meeting was held as part of efforts to evaluate readiness for the CVR and to deliberate on operational issues ahead of the exercise.
According to Dr Agboke, the CVR will begin in two phases: the online registration is scheduled to commence on 18 August 2025, while physical, in-person registration will start on 25 August 2025.
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This announcement follows INEC’s formal declaration of 8 August 2026 as the date for the Osun State governorship election.
“The meeting was designed to examine the state of affairs with respect to the CVR as it provides a platform for internal review before engaging with wider stakeholders,” Dr Agboke stated.
He stressed the importance of aligning strategies and understanding operational realities before the commencement of the exercise.
“It is important for us to understand each other and align our strategies before we begin,” he added.
Dr Agboke also noted that the meeting would feature a general assessment of INEC offices at the local government level, focusing on infrastructure, logistics, and workforce preparedness.
“We want to critically examine INEC local government offices and their officers to ensure everything is in order. The meeting is crucial for us to talk to ourselves and have an understanding before we bring the general stakeholders on board,” he said.
Commending the Electoral Officers for their commitment, Dr Agboke acknowledged their efforts in maintaining operational efficiency despite various challenges. “I appreciate your commitment to ensuring that the INEC LG offices keep functioning effectively ahead of the exercise,” he remarked.
In response, Chairman of the Osun Electoral Officers Forum and EO of Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulkadir Azeez, expressed gratitude to the REC for his leadership and inclusive approach.
“Your trust in us as EOs has been encouraging. We appreciate the REC for his open-door policy and constant engagement,” Azeez said, assuring that all Electoral Officers in the state are fully prepared for the upcoming registration exercise.
“We have been working towards this, and we remain confident that the CVR will be hitch-free. We are ready, and I can vouch for the ability and competence of every EO in this state,” he concluded.
The Continuous Voter Registration is a key part of the electoral process, enabling eligible citizens to register, update their details, or transfer their voter registration ahead of the 2026 polls.
