INEC has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to all 30 local government areas in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday night commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials to the 30 local government areas of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The exercise was supervised by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Osogbo.
The distribution process had earlier experienced delays following a Federal High Court judgment directing INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot for the election.
The court ruling required the commission to add the SDP to the list of political parties already participating in the poll, increasing the number of parties on the ballot to 14.
INEC subsequently printed additional ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the court order before commencing the movement of materials to the various local government areas.
As of 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, buses conveying sensitive materials had started departing the CBN premises in Osogbo for their designated destinations across the state.
Speaking to journalists, Senior Programme Manager of Kimpat Development Initiative, Umar Mohammed, described the arrival and distribution of the materials as a positive development.
“It is a very good thing that the materials arrived today. Hopefully, by the time INEC finishes sorting, they will distribute them to all the local governments,” he said.
Mohammed noted that there had been concerns that the court judgment involving the SDP could disrupt the election timetable or lead to a postponement.
“We were worried after the court pronouncement, which led to the addition of SDP to the ballot. This created a logistical challenge for INEC.
“We felt it could affect the election and probably lead to a call for postponement, but it is good that the materials have arrived,” he said.
He also commended INEC’s deployment strategy, noting that the commission appeared to be prioritising local government areas that are distant or difficult to access.
Mohammed, however, expressed concern that rainfall could affect the movement of election materials.
“I pray it does not rain because the dark clouds are already gathering; rainfall could make the distribution of election materials difficult,” he said.
The commencement of the distribution exercise comes after INEC disclosed that more than 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected ahead of the governorship election. The commission has repeatedly assured political parties, civil society organisations, election observers and voters of its readiness to conduct a credible and transparent poll.
Osun voters are expected to elect a governor on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in what is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle elections.
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