The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials across the 30 local government areas of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The distribution began on Friday at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facility in Osogbo, the state capital, according to INEC National Commissioner overseeing the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi.
Ajayi explained that the late commencement was caused by the delayed arrival of newly printed ballot papers and other sensitive materials from Abuja.
The delay followed the commission’s recent decision to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidates on the ballot for the August 15, 2026 election.
He said the distribution was now underway to ensure that all electoral materials reached their designated locations before voters go to the polls.
INEC had on Wednesday added SDP governorship candidate Francis Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, to the ballot, bringing the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.
The commission subsequently ordered the reproduction of the ballot papers to reflect the addition.
“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to 15 the total number of political parties contesting the election,” INEC said.
The commission also confirmed that result sheets were being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to accommodate the inclusion of the SDP candidates.
With the distribution now underway, INEC is racing against time to complete the deployment of sensitive materials to all 30 local government areas before the election begins on Saturday.
The Osun governorship poll is expected to attract voters across the state as the participating parties compete for control of the state government.
