The British High Commission has raised concerns over challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) and elderly voters during the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.
The commission also highlighted overcrowding at some polling locations, which is attributed to the speed and limited availability of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.
In a statement, the British High Commission commended the people of Osun State for their peaceful and active participation in the election and congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.
The commission said it had engaged with various stakeholders ahead of the election and deployed a team of accredited observers to monitor the process.
According to the commission, its observations were broadly consistent with findings by credible independent observer groups that deployed teams across the state.
It noted several positive developments, including the opening of polling units as scheduled in many locations, the commitment of security personnel to maintaining order and the effective implementation of electoral procedures by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commission particularly commended voters for their patience, resilience and participation throughout the electoral process.
However, it said isolated incidents had generated tension before and during the election, while voter interference, including vote-buying, remained a significant challenge across party lines.
“We also note continued issues with access for people with disabilities and for elderly people, as well as overcrowding due to the speed and limited provision of BVAS devices for accreditation,” the commission said.
It urged relevant institutions to carefully review the challenges and draw lessons from the election, including recommendations by credible organisations such as the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.
The British High Commission said such reviews would help strengthen public confidence, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the commission observed that off-cycle elections benefit from additional personnel and resources that could be more difficult to replicate during nationwide elections.
It nevertheless expressed hope that lessons from the Osun election would contribute to improvements that would strengthen the integrity, inclusiveness and credibility of future elections.
The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigeria’s electoral institutions, civil society organisations and other partners to support peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections and strengthen the democratic institutions underpinning the country’s electoral process.
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