INEC faces scrutiny over ballot reprinting and readiness for Osun election

Ahead of the Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced scrutiny regarding its preparedness and recent decisions. Yiaga Africa’s Watching The Vote (WTV) working group conducted inspections of INEC offices in selected local government areas to evaluate the deployment of sensitive election materials and the readiness of ad hoc officials.

In Ejigbo Local Government Area, officials reported that sensitive materials arrived in the early hours of Friday and that security personnel from the State Security Service and Nigeria Police Force were stationed to secure the process. While several political parties, including the Accord Party, Peoples Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress, had agents present during inspections, reports indicated that an agent from the All Progressives Congress had left without a replacement.

Simultaneously, INEC has drawn criticism for its decision to reprint ballot papers just days before the election. This move follows a July 22 court order requiring the commission to include the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) candidate, Dr. Francis Ajala, on the ballot. The timing of the reprinting has led to public suspicion and allegations of potential electoral manipulation on social media.