The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured residents of Osun State that the upcoming governorship election will be decided strictly by the ballot rather than force, as the commission steps up its statewide readiness assessments ahead of the August 15 poll.

?INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), gave the assurance during a visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye II. Prof. Amupitan stated that the visit was part of the commission's duty to brief traditional institutions on election preparations and seek their cooperation in encouraging peaceful citizen participation.

He emphasized that the election’s success depends on maintaining peace, starting and concluding voting on schedule, and announcing results promptly.

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Responding on behalf of the palace, Hon. Justice Kayode Adebiyi commended INEC for striving to provide a level playing field for all political candidates.

He urged residents to preserve the peace throughout the electoral process, particularly as the state coincides with the ongoing Osun-Osogbo Festival, while pledging the palace's continued support for a peaceful, credible, and widely accepted election.