INEC Reprints Osun Ballot Papers, Result Sheets
INEC Reprints Osun Ballot Papers, Result Sheets
…..to Accommodate SDP Candidate
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reportedly commenced the reprinting of ballot papers and result sheets for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election to accommodate the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The development comes amid the prolonged legal battle over the SDP’s participation and the identity of its candidate in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The electoral commission had earlier released the final list of candidates cleared to participate in the Osun governorship poll. However, developments arising from court proceedings concerning the SDP’s candidacy subsequently created the need for adjustments to the election materials.
Vanguard had earlier reported that the SDP approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja seeking a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment that recognised Olaitan Salawu-Adeniyi Mustapha as the party’s governorship candidate. The party also asked the appellate court to restrain INEC from implementing the judgment pending the determination of its appeal.
With the latest development, INEC is said to be making adjustments to the sensitive electoral materials to ensure that the candidate recognised by the relevant judicial process is properly reflected on the ballot.
The reprinting reportedly affects both ballot papers and result sheets, which are among the critical materials required for the conduct and collation of election results.
INEC had previously explained that printing ballot papers and result sheets forms part of a chain of interrelated electoral activities that must be properly coordinated ahead of elections. The commission has also maintained that its preparations are guided by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and valid court pronouncements.
The development is significant because the Osun governorship election is expected to be closely contested, with the commission having cleared multiple political parties for the poll.
Earlier, INEC disclosed that millions of registered voters are expected to participate in the election, while the commission has been putting operational arrangements in place, including the deployment of BVAS devices and personnel across the state’s polling units.
The Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, had assured voters that INEC officials would arrive at polling units ahead of voters. She disclosed that 3,763 BVAS machines would be deployed, with another 664 units kept as backups, bringing the total to 4,427 devices.
The commission’s decision to make adjustments to the ballot papers and result sheets is expected to prevent discrepancies on election day and ensure that all duly recognised candidates are properly represented in the electoral materials.
The development also underscores the operational difficulties that can arise when court decisions concerning candidates come after the electoral commission has commenced production and deployment of sensitive materials.
As political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the poll, attention will now shift to the final electoral materials and whether the adjustments will be completed in sufficient time for their distribution across the 30 local government areas of Osun State.
