The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday night commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
The materials were distributed under the supervision of the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola.
The distribution had earlier been delayed following a Federal High Court judgement directing INEC to include the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot.
The SDP was subsequently added to the list of the 14 political parties for which ballot papers had earlier been printed.
As of 11:30 p.m., buses deployed for the exercise were leaving the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, for their assigned local government areas.
Addressing journalists, the Senior Programme Manager of Kimpat Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, Umar Mohammed, described the distribution and arrival of the materials as encouraging.
“It is a very good thing that the materials arrived today. Hopefully, by the time INEC finishes sorting, they will distribute them to all the local governments,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed said there had initially been concerns that the court ruling could affect the election timetable.
He explained that INEC had to print additional ballot papers and result sheets following the court order.
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Mohammed added: “We were worried after the court pronouncement, which led to the addition of SDP to the ballot. This created a logistical challenge for INEC.
“We felt it could affect the election and probably lead to a call for postponement, but it is good that the materials have arrived.”
He commended INEC’s deployment strategy, saying the commission appeared to be prioritising local governments considered distant and difficult to access.
Mohammed, however, expressed concern that rainfall could disrupt the distribution of election materials.
“I pray it does not rain because the dark clouds are already gathering, rainfall could make the distribution of election materials difficult,” he said.
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