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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Osun Poll: INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials After Court Order

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission began distributing sensitive election materials on Thursday night for Saturday's governorship poll.
  • The distribution was supervised by the Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner and followed a court order adding the Social Democratic Party to the ballot.
  • An NGO representative expressed encouragement but noted concerns about potential rainfall disrupting the process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced the distribution of sensitive materials across Osun's 30 local government areas on Thursday night, preparing for Saturday's governorship election. The process, overseen by Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, was initially delayed by a Federal High Court ruling that mandated the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot. Consequently, INEC had to print additional ballot papers and result sheets for the SDP, which is now among the 14 participating political parties.

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.

— Mr Umar MohammedAddressing journalists about the distribution of sensitive election materials.

As of late Thursday, buses carrying the materials were departing the Central Bank of Nigeria premises in Osogbo. Umar Mohammed, Senior Programme Manager at the Kimpat Development Initiative, an NGO, described the distribution as "encouraging." He acknowledged initial concerns that the court order might disrupt the election schedule but expressed relief that the materials had arrived. "We were worried after the court pronouncement, which led to the addition of SDP to the ballot," Mohammed stated, noting the logistical challenge of printing extra papers. "We felt it could affect the election and probably lead to a call for postponement, but it is good that the materials have arrived."

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.

— Mr Umar MohammedExplaining the initial concerns following a court ruling that added the SDP to the ballot.

Mohammed commended INEC's deployment strategy, particularly its prioritization of distant and difficult-to-access local government areas. However, he voiced a concern about the weather, praying that rainfall would not disrupt the distribution. "I pray it does not rain because the dark clouds are already gathering," he said. "Rainfall could make the distribution of election materials difficult."

I pray it does not rain because the dark clouds are already gathering. Rainfall could make the distribution of election materials difficult.

— Mr Umar MohammedExpressing concern about potential rainfall disrupting the distribution process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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