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The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over what it described as “a worrisome gap” in the recently published statistics on the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
In a statement signed by its Director of Media, Hezekiah Oladele Bamiji (HOB), the party raised alarm on the wide disparity between online pre-registrants and completed in-person registrations in Osun State.
According to INEC’s report, over 470,000 residents in the state initiated their registration online within two weeks. However, less than 600 completed the mandatory in-person exercise at designated centres.
The PDP, however, described the figures as “inconceivable and unacceptable.”
It insists that field records showed more than 25,000 voters had completed their registrations within the period.
“How could over 25,000 duly completed registrations physically captured by INEC officials across Osun suddenly shrink to just 500 registrations in the national office’s report?” “Such a gaping disparity cannot be waved aside as a clerical mistake,” the statement queried.
The party argued that Osun records daily averages of between 1,500 and 2,000 completed registrations and accused the electoral body of under-reporting figures in a way that “directly insults the intelligence of the electorate and dangerously undermines confidence in INEC’s preparedness for the 2026 governorship poll and the 2027 general election.”
The PDP, therefore, demanded that INEC immediately correct what it termed “manipulated data” and publish the authentic Osun figure of over 25,000 completed registrations.
Beyond that, the party called on INEC to provide daily detailed reports of registrations and voter card transfers to accredited political party representatives and civil society organizations; open the registration process to independent scrutiny; and ensure transparency from registration to the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
It also demanded that the electoral umpire disclose the source points and records of voter card transfers to Osun State, warning that without such openness, the process remains vulnerable to “manipulation and abuse.”
“It is not enough for INEC to dump figures on Nigerians without giving room for authentication and verification,” the statement added. “Our democracy demands openness, and Osun PDP will continue to insist on transparency in the voter registration process as the foundation of credible elections.”
The party warned that anything short of a transparent process could erode public confidence in INEC and set the stage for voter disenfranchisement.
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