The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), through its Electoral Institute (TEI), has ramped up preparations for the 15 August 2026 Osun State governorship election by organizing a specialized workshop aimed at strengthening early warning systems for electoral violence.
The one-day methodology and fieldwork training, held for selected Field Agents and Supervisors under the Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool (EVMAT) initiative, focused on equipping participants with practical skills for identifying, tracking, and reporting indicators that could trigger electoral violence before, during, and after the election.
The program is part of INEC’s broader strategy to promote credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections through evidence-based planning and real-time field intelligence.
Opening Address and Keynote
The workshop commenced at about 10:00 a.m. with an opening address by the Chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute (BEI), Professor Kunle Ajayi, who welcomed participants and underscored the importance of data-driven research in modern electoral management.
He explained that the EVMAT framework is designed to help the Commission and relevant stakeholders identify potential hotspots and emerging risks early enough to enable timely preventive action, thereby reducing the likelihood of violence during electoral processes.
According to him, credible elections are not only achieved on voting day but are the result of sustained monitoring, preparedness, and the availability of reliable field intelligence that guides decision-making.
Participants were also reminded of the need to uphold professionalism and neutrality in the discharge of their duties, as the integrity of data collected from the field would directly influence the effectiveness of preventive interventions.
Goodwill Message and Technical Session
In his goodwill message, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute urged participants to maintain high standards of objectivity, accuracy, and integrity throughout the field exercise. He stressed that the success of the EVMAT project depends largely on the quality of information gathered at the grassroots level.
A detailed technical presentation was delivered by Dr. Aminu Adamu Bello, who guided participants through the objectives, methodology, and operational scope of the Election Violence Mitigation and Advocacy Tool.
He explained that EVMAT is designed as an early warning and response mechanism that captures patterns of tension, political conflict indicators, and community-level risks that may escalate into electoral violence if not properly addressed.
Participants were trained on field data collection techniques, reporting protocols, risk identification, and the use of structured tools to ensure consistency and reliability of information gathered across different locations.
Conclusion and Commitment
The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment from participants to support INEC’s efforts in promoting peaceful electoral conduct and strengthening democratic processes ahead of the Osun 2026 governorship election.
