Late arrival of reprinted ballot papers delayed distribution following SDP’s inclusion on the ballot.
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 distribution is taking place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Osogbo, the state capital.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Osun election, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, said the distribution was delayed by the late arrival of newly printed ballot papers and other sensitive materials from Abuja following the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Ajala, on the ballot.
Ajayi said the commission began distributing the materials to ensure they reached their designated locations ahead of the August 15 poll.
INEC had on Wednesday added Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, to the ballot in compliance with a July 22 judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026.
The development increased the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.
The commission said it also reproduced the result sheets to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
INEC had earlier announced that the reprinted ballot papers would arrive in Osun on Thursday and be distributed to the various local government offices in line with its standard procedures.
The commission has assured political parties, candidates and voters of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible election on Saturday.