The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The exercise is taking place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facility in Osogbo, the state capital, as the commission races against time to complete the deployment of materials before voters go to the polls on August 15.
The distribution follows the late arrival of newly reproduced ballot papers and result sheets from Abuja, necessitated by the last-minute inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Olugbenga Ajala, in the election.
INEC had announced on Wednesday that Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, had been added to the ballot in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on July 22, 2026.
The judgment, delivered in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, directed INEC to recognise and publish Ajala and his particulars as the SDP’s governorship candidate.
Following the ruling, the commission reproduced the ballot papers and result sheets to reflect the SDP’s participation, increasing the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.
INEC’s National Commissioner overseeing the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi, said the distribution was being undertaken to ensure the materials reached their designated locations in time for Saturday’s poll.
The development has, however, raised concerns among election observers over the compressed logistics timeline. Yiaga Africa warned that the late movement of the revised materials could create additional logistical and security challenges, particularly if transportation and deployment extend into the night.
The commission had earlier stated that the reproduced materials would arrive in Osun on Thursday and be moved the same day to its offices across the state for onward deployment in accordance with its established election logistics procedures.
The latest development comes as political parties and candidates intensify their final preparations for what is expected to be a closely contested governorship election.
With only hours remaining before voting begins, the focus is now firmly on INEC’s ability to complete the distribution, secure the materials and ensure that all polling units receive the correct ballot papers and result sheets ahead of the opening of polls.
The inclusion of the SDP candidate has also added another layer to an already fluid election, which has witnessed a series of late legal and political developments in the final days before voting.
INEC has maintained that the election will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, August 15, with the revised materials reflecting all 15 participating political parties.
