OsunDecides 2026: INEC Begins Sorting and Counting of Ballots as Governorship Vote Enters Crucial Stage.
The 2026 Osun State governorship election has entered a decisive phase as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced the sorting and counting of ballots at polling units across the state following the conclusion of voting in several locations.
The exercise began at different polling units as voting ended, with election officials separating, sorting and counting ballots in the presence of party agents and other accredited observers. Reports from the field indicate that while counting had commenced in some areas, voting was still ongoing at other polling units where the electoral process had not yet been completed.
In Osogbo, the state capital, INEC officials were reported to have commenced the process at Polling Unit 39, Ward 4, shortly after voting ended. Similar counting activities were also reported in parts of Ilesa West, Ejigbo and other locations across the state.
The transition from voting to counting marks an important stage in Nigeria’s electoral process. Polling unit results are expected to be recorded and subsequently transmitted through INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) platform, while the official collation process will determine the overall outcome of the governorship contest.
As counting progressed, early polling unit results began emerging, but these figures should not be interpreted as indicative of the final statewide result. INEC is expected to collate results from polling units across Osun’s 30 local government areas before declaring the final winner.
The election has attracted significant attention as one of the major off cycle governorship contests ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Fifteen candidates are participating in the poll, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam among the prominent contenders.
The conduct of the counting process will remain closely watched by political parties, observers and voters, particularly regarding transparency, accurate recording of results and the timely uploading of polling unit figures.
As the counting and collation process continues, INEC’s eventual declaration will provide the authoritative outcome of the Osun governorship election.