The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced the distribution of sensitive electoral materials to all 30 local government areas in Osun state on Thursday, August 13, 2026, ahead of Saturday's governorship election. The exercise is taking place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Osogbo, the state capital, as reported by The Punch on Friday, August 14.
Reprinted Ballot Papers Cause Delay
INEC National Commissioner for the Osun election, Professor Kunle Ajayi, said the materials arrived later than planned because ballot papers and other items had to be reprinted in Abuja before being shipped to the state. The reprint became necessary after INEC added the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Francis Ajala, along with his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, to the ballot on Wednesday, August 13, 2026. This decision brought the total number of parties contesting the election to 15.
The commission acted on a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, filed by the SDP and Ajala against INEC. The court ordered INEC to recognise Ajala as the SDP's candidate and publish his name and particulars without delay.
INEC Confirms Reprint and Distribution
In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission said: "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. The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate."
INEC had previously said the reprinted ballot papers would arrive in Osun state on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and would be moved to local government area offices across the state on the same day, following its standard pre-election distribution procedure.
Materials to Reach LGAs Before Election Day
Professor Ajayi confirmed that the distribution commenced to ensure all materials reach their designated locations before polling begins on Saturday, August 15. A video of INEC's activities in Osun has emerged on social media, showing the distribution process.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, to elect the next governor of the state. Earlier reports noted that INEC said 1.9 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected ahead of the vote.
