The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists to intensify efforts to expose vote buyers and other electoral offenders ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.
The commission said credible evidence gathered by the media could help secure convictions and discourage electoral malpractice, describing vote buying as a major threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at a one-day Media Stakeholders’ Forum in Osogbo on Tuesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, urged journalists to play a more active role in safeguarding the electoral process.
Haruna, whose speech was delivered by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said the widespread vote buying recorded during the June 20 Ekiti State Governorship Election highlighted the need for greater media vigilance.
He alleged that political actors distributed cash and issued numbered vouchers to voters for redemption outside polling units to evade security agencies.
According to him, the Electoral Act 2026 prescribes a minimum fine of ₦5 million, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, for anyone convicted of vote trading, in addition to a 10-year ban from contesting elective office.
Haruna urged media organisations to deploy investigative reporters before, during and after the election to document suspects, locations and other evidence that could support prosecution.
He said such efforts would complement the work of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies in tackling electoral offences.
The INEC commissioner also disclosed that preparations for the Osun governorship election were at an advanced stage, with 14 political parties cleared to participate and 381,817 new voters registered during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
He said the commission would deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in all polling units to ensure a transparent and credible election.
Haruna said BVAS recorded a 96 per cent functionality rate during the Ekiti governorship election, while IReV successfully uploaded 98 per cent of polling unit results.
Despite improvements in election technology, he expressed concern over low voter turnout in the Ekiti poll, where fewer than 40 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots.
He called on journalists to strengthen voter education, encourage peaceful participation and sustain campaigns against vote buying.
Earlier, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, described the media as a critical partner in ensuring credible elections through balanced reporting and civic education.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, represented by Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, said the forum was organised to strengthen collaboration between the commission and the media ahead of the election.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, assured INEC of the media’s commitment to exposing vote buying and encouraging voter participation.
The Osun State Governorship Election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with candidates from 14 political parties expected to contest.
