The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of preventing Muslim women wearing hijab from voting in the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group alleged that thousands of hijab-wearing Muslim women were prevented from voting during the election.

MURIC described the alleged incidents as “targeted coercion, humiliation and disenfranchisement,” claiming that some women were only allowed to vote after removing their hijab.

The organisation attributed the alleged incidents to what it described as INEC’s failure to properly educate its regular and temporary election officials about the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

“We strongly condemn this massive disenfranchisement,” MURIC said, accusing the INEC leadership of failing to protect the rights of Muslim voters.

MURIC also renewed its call for the removal of INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.

“MURIC reiterates its call for the removal of Professor Joash Amupitan as head of INEC,” the statement said.

The group further alleged that the treatment of Muslim women during the election had a direct impact on the outcome of the poll and warned that similar incidents could occur during the 2027 general elections.

“We contend that the intimidation of Muslim women in hijab during yesterday’s election in Osun State had a direct impact on the outcome of the election. We warn that worse treatments are in the offing for Muslim voters throughout the country in the 2027 general elections,” the statement said.

MURIC called on the Federal Government to investigate the alleged denial of voting rights and urged INEC to take steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.

The organisation maintained that the alleged restriction violated the fundamental rights of Muslim women and condemned what it described as the public humiliation of women during elections.