INEC Urges Parties to Obey Electoral Act as Osun Governorship Campaigns Begin March 11

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has advised political parties and their candidates to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the commission’s regulations guiding political parties and electioneering activities.

INEC said political campaigns for the 2026 governorship election in the state will officially commence on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in line with the commission’s approved timetable and schedule of activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mutiu Agboke, and issued by the Osun INEC Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, on Tuesday.

According to the commission, the commencement of campaigns marks the beginning of open political activities by parties and candidates ahead of the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.

“INEC advises political parties and their candidates to ensure that their campaign activities comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 as well as the commission’s regulations guiding political parties and electioneering activities,” the statement said.

The commission urged all participants in the political process to maintain decorum throughout the campaign period and avoid actions capable of threatening public peace across the state.

“Political parties, candidates, and their supporters are urged to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful and orderly manner in strict compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the commission’s regulations and guidelines,” the statement added.

INEC also warned against the use of inflammatory rhetoric during the campaign period, stressing that hate speech, abusive language and acts of violence are prohibited under the Electoral Act.

The commission further encouraged political actors to focus on programmes and policies while engaging voters.

“Parties and candidates are advised to focus on issue-based campaigns that will enable voters to make informed choices at the polls,” it stated.

Agboke reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working with stakeholders, including security agencies, civil society organisations and the media, to ensure that the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State is credible, transparent, inclusive and free of violence.