INEC Denies Allegations by ADC Concerning Osun Voter Registration Data

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) suggesting that the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise has produced implausible figures.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Musa Olurode, INEC described the ADC’s claims as “unfounded and misleading,” emphasizing that Osun State has a well-documented history of high voter engagement.

“Osun State led all other states of the federation in online pre-registration during previous exercises. This is a verifiable fact from official INEC records,” Olurode stated.

He explained that the recent figures reflect the state’s consistent pattern of civic participation seen in the lead-up to the 2022 Governorship Election and the 2023 General Elections.

INEC clarified that the online pre-registration process is only the initial step and does not confer full registration status without biometric capture at designated centres. “Any attempt to create the impression that these figures translate directly into actual voter registration is unfounded,” the statement added.

Addressing the ADC’s criticism that nearly 400,000 registrations within one week defied historical and demographic expectations, INEC responded that the numbers instead reflect growing democratic awareness in the state. “The figures being reported should be seen as evidence of increasing civic responsibility, not manipulation,” Olurode said.

INEC urged political parties to avoid spreading misinformation and instead focus on educating and mobilizing voters. “The responsible path for registered political parties is to encourage citizens to participate in the CVR process rather than casting baseless aspersions,” the Commission emphasized.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency, INEC assured that the CVR exercise in Osun is being conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2022, official guidelines, and global best practices. “The impressive turnout so far is a testament to our sustained voter education efforts,” Olurode concluded.

The statement follows earlier remarks by ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who raised concerns about the integrity of INEC’s first-week registration figures, warning they could erode public confidence in the electoral process if left unaddressed.