INEC Begins Distribution Of Sensitive Materials Ahead Of Osun Governorship Election

INEC Begins Distribution of Sensitive Materials Ahead of Osun Governorship Election The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to all 30 local government areas of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. The materials are being distributed from the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN office in Osogbo, with the electoral commission working to ensure they reach their designated locations before voting begins. INEC said the distribution was delayed because newly printed ballot papers and other election materials arrived late from Abuja. The reprinting became necessary after the Social Democratic Party SDP and its candidate, Francis Ajala, were added to the ballot following a Federal High Court judgment delivered in July. Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, were formally included in the election on Wednesday, increasing the number of political parties contesting the poll to 15.

The court had directed INEC to recognise, accept, process and publish Ajala’s candidacy after the SDP challenged his exclusion from the election. INEC said both the ballot papers and result sheets had to be reproduced to reflect the SDP’s inclusion. The commission had earlier announced that the newly printed materials would arrive in Osun on Thursday and be distributed to local government offices the same day in accordance with its normal procedures. The delay has nevertheless attracted concern from election observers. The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said the sensitive materials reportedly arrived at about 8:30pm on Thursday, raising concerns about the tight timeframe for distribution before Saturday’s poll. The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with voters choosing the state’s next governor. INEC’s distribution exercise is intended to ensure that all sensitive materials are delivered to the appropriate local government areas ahead of the opening of polling units. The commission is also operating amid heightened security concerns, with observers warning about politically motivated clashes, intimidation and other potential threats to the peaceful conduct of the election.