The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it printed millions of ballot papers and result sheets within 36 hours following a judgment that ordered the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The INEC National Commissioner supervising Osun State, Kunle Ajayi, disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, as the commission gave assurances of its readiness for the poll.

Ajayi said the late court decision forced the commission to adjust its preparations at short notice but insisted that the development did not disrupt its logistical arrangements.

“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 said.

According to him, INEC first obtained a certified copy of the judgment before taking action to ensure that the order was valid and issued by a competent court.

INEC had earlier announced that it would include the SDP candidate, Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, on the ballot in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment delivered on July 22, 2026. The inclusion increased the number of political parties contesting the election from 14 to 15.

Ajayi said the commission subsequently distributed the sensitive materials to all 30 local government areas in the 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.

Ajayi also dismissed reports that the ballot papers for the election were printed outside Nigeria, saying the commission had deliberately engaged reputable local printers since the 2023 elections.

INEC Promises Transparent Results

On the electronic transmission and public viewing of 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.

Ajayi explained that results would be transmitted as they were completed at polling units, while noting that factors such as network connectivity and the volume of data could affect the pace at which they appeared on the portal.

“As they are doing the analysis at the polling units, they will be transmitted to the IReV. That is all I know,” he said.

He also clarified that IReV was primarily designed to display polling-unit results rather than serve as a collation or adding platform.

“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,” Ajayi clarified.

He further assured Nigerians that the commission would improve its performance in transmitting results.

Readiness, Early Polls?

Ajayi also reiterated INEC’s readiness for the election, saying polling units would open on time.

“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 commence, 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 participate, with 15 political parties fielding candidates across the state’s 30 local government areas.

The election, initially scheduled for August 8, is being closely watched as a major off-cycle poll ahead of the 2027 general elections. The SDP was added to the ballot following a court judgment directing INEC to recognise Ajala as its candidate, increasing the number of contestants from 14 to 15.

President Bola Tinubu has urged voters to participate peacefully and called on INEC and security agencies to ensure a transparent and credible election.

He charged security agencies to protect voters and electoral officials from intimidation and urged eligible voters to turn out and exercise their civic responsibility. The President also urged INEC to use the election to demonstrate its preparedness for the 2027 general elections. (Channels)

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