Press Attack Tracker Africa

PRESS RELEASE | DATAPHYTE ELECTION OBSERVER ASSAULTED DURING OSUN ELECTION 2026 An accredited Dataphyte election observer was assaulted, had his phone and belongings seized, and was forced to leave a Registration Area Centre in Ikire, Irewole LGA, while documenting the deployment of electoral officials and materials on election morning. This incident contradicts the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which affirm the right of accredited observers to document electoral activities and the election materials. Section 41(4) of the Act provides that “Polling agents who are in attendance at a polling unit may be entitled, before the commencement of the election, to have originals of electoral materials to be used by the Commission for the election inspected, and this process may be recorded as evidence in writing, on video or by other means by any Polling Agent, accredited observer or official of the Commission.“ This clearly affirms the right of our observer, who is accredited under INEC, to document how election materials and officers are deployed to polling units. Dataphyte thereby calls on INEC and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the alleged assault, threats and deletion of recorded evidence, and take appropriate action.