The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of disenfranchising Muslim women wearing hijab during the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
MURIC alleged that thousands of Muslim women were prevented from voting at various polling units because they wore hijab, describing the development as targeted intimidation, humiliation and disenfranchisement.
The organisation made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday, August 16, 2026, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
According to Akintola, some Muslim women were allegedly allowed to vote only after removing their hijab, which he described as a violation of their fundamental right to freedom of religion.
“We strongly condemn this massive disenfranchisement,” Akintola said, attributing the alleged incidents to what he described as the failure of INEC leadership to adequately educate its regular and ad hoc personnel on religious freedom.
MURIC claimed that the alleged incidents were widespread across the state and said it had video evidence showing a hijab-wearing Muslim woman complaining that she was prevented from voting because of her religious attire.
The group further called for the removal of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, alleging that the treatment of Muslim women during the election could have affected the outcome of the poll.
MURIC also warned that similar incidents could occur during the 2027 general elections if, according to the group, corrective measures were not taken.
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The organisation urged the Federal Government to investigate the allegations and ensure that no voter is subjected to discrimination or prevented from exercising their constitutional right to vote on account of religious clothing.
MURIC maintained that Muslim women should not be required to remove the hijab as a condition for voting, stressing that freedom of religion and the right to participate in elections must be protected.
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