Osun 2026: INEC Steps Up Voter Education to Combat Apathy

Ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission has ramped up preparations, urging stronger grassroots voter education and inclusivity to tackle growing voter apathy.

The call was made by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, during a joint meeting of the Voter Education & Publicity and Gender & Inclusivity departments held Monday in Osogbo.

Babalola emphasised that an election is a process, not a single event, warning that a failure to sustain voter education efforts could lead to weakened democratic participation.

Despite improvements in how elections are administered, she noted that voter apathy remains a serious concern. She identified misinformation, distrust in the system, political disengagement, and limited access to reliable electoral information as key drivers of low turnout.

According to the REC, citizens must understand not just when elections will hold, but also why their participation matters.

She directed Electoral Officers and their assistants to intensify community outreach, including visits to markets, motor parks, schools, and religious centres. She also urged them to work closely with traditional and religious leaders to deepen voter awareness.

On inclusivity, Babalola described it as a democratic imperative rather than merely a policy goal. She instructed officials to ensure that women, youths, the elderly, and Persons with Disabilities are not excluded from the electoral process.

She further asked officials to identify communities with historically low voter turnout and develop targeted strategies to improve participation.

Reiterating the commission’s commitment, Babalola stated that every eligible voter must know why voting matters, how to vote correctly, where to vote, and when to vote. She added that building trust and encouraging broader participation remain key priorities ahead of the Osun governorship poll.