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 materials were moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria facility in Osogbo under the supervision of the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola.
The distribution was delayed following a Federal High Court judgment directing INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Ajala, on the ballot.
The court ruling came after ballot papers and result sheets for the election had already been printed, forcing INEC to reproduce the materials to accommodate the SDP candidate and his running mate. The development increased the number of political parties contesting the election from 14 to 15.
INEC National Commissioner in charge of the Osun election, Kunle Ajayi, explained that the newly reproduced materials arrived from Abuja later than originally expected, accounting for the delay in distribution.
The commission subsequently commenced the movement of the materials to the various local government areas to ensure they arrive at their designated locations before voting begins.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, with INEC assuring stakeholders of its readiness to conduct the poll.
The development comes as security agencies, political parties and election observers intensify preparations for the closely watched governorship contest.
