The International and local election observers on Friday, August 14, 2026, held a joint operational briefing ahead of Saturday’s Osun State Governorship Election, with participants urged to uphold the Electoral Act, prioritise national interest and avoid the dissemination of unverified information.
The briefing brought together international observers led by the Association of World Peace Advocates and local observers coordinated by the Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
CSCHEI is coordinating and supervising a group of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)-accredited civil society organisations deployed to observe the election across the state.
At the meeting, local observers were given detailed operational directives on the conduct of election observation, including strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other applicable electoral guidelines.
The observers were specifically cautioned against reporting information that had not been independently verified, amid concerns that inaccurate or unconfirmed reports could create confusion and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Participants were also directed to maintain close coordination with security agencies throughout the election, particularly in the interest of their personal safety and the peaceful conduct of the poll.
Speaking at the briefing, the Director-General of CSCHEI and Team Lead for the observation exercise, Kunle Yusuff, FincSD, MON, reminded observers that they were undertaking a national assignment that required professionalism, impartiality and a commitment to Nigeria’s democratic development.
Yusuff said the interest of the country must remain paramount as observers discharge their responsibilities before, during and after the election.
He urged the accredited groups to conduct themselves in accordance with the rules governing election observation and to ensure that their reports were based on facts rather than speculation.
The Executive Director of the Association of World Peace Advocates, who is also an INEC-accredited international observer, stressed the importance of fairness, justice and equity in the security arrangements for Saturday’s election.
He maintained that security measures surrounding the election should be implemented in a manner that guarantees a level playing field for all participants and protects the integrity of the democratic process.
The joint briefing is part of preparations by accredited observer groups to monitor the electoral process and provide independent assessments of the conduct of the election.
The observers are expected to monitor activities at polling units and other relevant stages of the electoral process while operating within the limits of their accreditation and the applicable legal framework.
The 32 INEC-accredited election observer organisations listed as being in attendance at the briefing were:
1. Civil Society Organizations on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI)
2. Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation
3. Grassroot Development and Peace Initiative
4. Center for Grassroot Development and Crime Prevention
5. Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education of Citizens
6. Centre for Social Value and Early Childhood Development
7. New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative
8. Conscience Women of Africa Initiative
9. Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization
10. Women’s Right and Peace Protection Initiative for Africa
11. Women Fest for Better Life Initiative
12. Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Communities Initiative
13. Amazon Women Substance Foundation
14. Sonia Initiative for Sustainable Development
15. The People’s Care and Advocacy Initiative
16. Immaculate Initiative for Peace
17. Northern Patriotic Front
18. Northern Socio-Cultural Initiative
19. Your Vote is Your Voice Africa Initiative
20. Patriotic Women Foundation
21. Women and Youth Development
22. Africa Women for Unity Social and Cultural Organization
23. United Nigeria Peace Foundation
24. Young Generation Vocational Empowerment Initiative
25. Initiative for Peace, Humanity and Social Advancement for Women
26. Citizens Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative
27. Right Way for Women and Youth in Africa
28. Network of Men with Disability
29. Armstrong Leadership Capacity Development Initiative
30. Support for Civil Society Organizations Initiative
31. Center for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness
32. Concern Initiative for Community and Social Development
The briefing comes a day before voters in Osun State are scheduled to elect their governor, placing the observer groups in position to monitor compliance with electoral guidelines, document developments and contribute to credible reporting of the exercise.
The observers were expected to commence field deployment in line with their respective mandates while maintaining neutrality and working within the framework established by INEC.
