The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to all 30 local government areas in Osun State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The commission said the distribution began on Friday at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) facility in Osogbo, the state capital.
Kunle Ajayi, the INEC National Commissioner supervising the Osun governorship election, confirmed the development and explained the reason for the delay in distributing the sensitive materials.
According to him, the delay was caused by the late arrival from Abuja of newly printed ballot papers and other election materials.
SDP Inclusion Caused Reprinting
Ajayi explained that the materials had to be reproduced following the recent inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Francis Ajala, on the ballot.
The SDP candidate and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, were added to the ballot on Wednesday, increasing the number of political parties participating in Saturday’s election to 15.
The development meant that previously printed ballot papers could no longer be used without modification.
INEC therefore commenced the reprinting of the ballot papers to accommodate the SDP candidate and his running mate.
The commission also had to update the result sheets to reflect the additional party and candidate.
Materials Now Being Distributed
With the newly printed materials now available, INEC said distribution to the state’s 30 local government areas had commenced.
The commission assured stakeholders that the materials would be moved to their designated locations ahead of Saturday’s election.
The distribution from the CBN facility in Osogbo is part of INEC’s final preparations for the governorship poll.
15 Parties to Contest Osun Election
The inclusion of the SDP has brought the total number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election to 15.
The development followed a legal process that resulted in INEC adding Ajala and his running mate to the ballot.
The commission consequently had to make corresponding changes to both the ballot papers and result sheets.
INEC Assures Voters of Readiness
Despite the delay, INEC said it remains committed to ensuring that all sensitive materials are delivered to their required locations before voting begins.
The commission’s latest move is part of the final logistical preparations for the election, which will determine the next governor of Osun State.
With sensitive materials now being distributed across the state, attention is turning to the deployment of electoral personnel, security arrangements and the commencement of voting on Saturday.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled to take place on August 15, 2026, with voters across the state’s 30 local government areas expected to participate.
