Distribution of electoral materials for the Osun State governorship election has commenced across the state ahead of today’s election.
As of the time of filing this report, polling officers had gathered at the registration centre at CAC Grammar School, Araromi, Osogbo, to collect election materials before proceeding to their respective polling units.
A total of 2,339,233 registered voters are expected to participate in the election, with candidates from 15 political parties on the ballot.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier disclosed that it printed millions of ballot papers and result sheets within 36 hours following a court judgment directing the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the INEC National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Kunle Ajayi, assured voters that the commission was fully prepared for the election.
Ajayi explained that the late court judgment required INEC to adjust its preparations within a limited timeframe, but said the development did not affect its logistics.
“In spite of the fact that the thing came late, we were able to print all ballot papers, millions, within 36 hours, because hours had no meaning to us anymore. Days had no meaning to us anymore.
“We were working day and night as if it were day. So, we were able to complete the printing, and we moved all the materials, all the sensitive materials, ballots, everything, to the Central Bank yesterday, late last night,” Ajayi said.
“In spite of the late judgment, which came very late after we had printed all the sensitive materials and moved to the appropriate quarters, the judgment just came on a Friday, and we had only Saturday, Sunday and Monday,” he added.
According to him, INEC first obtained a certified copy of the judgment and verified its authenticity before taking steps to implement the court order.
INEC had previously announced that SDP candidate Francis Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, would be included on the ballot in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment delivered on July 22, 2026.
Their inclusion increased the number of political parties participating in the election from 14 to 15.
Ajayi said the commission subsequently distributed sensitive election materials to all 30 local government areas in Osun State.
“Because of that judgment, we moved from Abuja to the Central Bank very late. But in spite of that, we were able to distribute to all the 30 local governments without missing any and without any issue on the road. We finished about 5 am this morning to distribute the materials to the local government,” he said.
The INEC commissioner also dismissed reports that the ballot papers were printed outside Nigeria, explaining that the commission had deliberately engaged reputable local printers since the 2023 elections.
INEC promises transparent result transmission
On the electronic transmission and public viewing of election results, Ajayi assured voters that results from polling units would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
“I can assure you of that. All the results will go on IReV,” he said.
He explained that results would be transmitted after being completed at the polling units, although factors such as network connectivity and data volume could influence how quickly they appear on the platform.
“As they are doing the analysis at the polling units, they will be transmitted to the IReV. That is all I know,” he said.
Ajayi further clarified that IReV is intended primarily for displaying polling-unit results and not for collating or adding them.
“The IReV is not an adding machine. It’s not an adding system. The IReV is meant for the display of results from the PUs. That is what IReV is meant for,” he clarified.
He also assured Nigerians that INEC would continue working to improve the speed and efficiency of result transmission.
INEC assures voters of readiness
Ajayi reiterated the commission’s readiness for the election and said polling units would open as scheduled.
“I want to state categorically that we are absolutely ready for this election, 100%, not even 99.5%, 100% ready,” he said.
Asked when voting would begin, he replied, “Polls will open early. By 8:30, it will open.”
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with 2,339,233 registered voters expected to vote across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The election, which was initially scheduled for August 8, is being closely monitored as an important off-cycle poll ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inclusion of the SDP candidate followed a court judgment directing INEC to recognise Ajala as the party’s candidate, thereby increasing the number of contestants from 14 to 15.
President Bola Tinubu has called on voters to participate peacefully and urged INEC and security agencies to ensure a transparent and credible election.
Police announce movement restriction
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has also reiterated its restriction on the involvement of the Amotekun Corps and other non-state security groups in election security operations.
The police announced a restriction on movement across Osun State from midnight on Friday, August 14, until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, as part of measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly election.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday ahead of the poll.
The police maintained that only security agencies recognised and established under the Constitution and laws of Nigeria are authorised to carry out security and law-enforcement duties during the election.