Sensitive election materials for Saturday’s Osun Governorship poll on Thursday night arrived in the state and were immediately distributed late in the night by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The materials, which were flown into Akure Airport in neighbouring Ondo State, reportedly arrived behind schedule before being transported by road to Osogbo under heavy security.

The delay in the arrival and movement of the materials had sparked apprehension among political stakeholders and election observers over the commission’s logistics arrangements.

Despite the setback, the distribution of the sensitive materials to the 30 local government areas and the Area Office eventually commenced on Thursday night under tight security provided by security agencies. The exercise continued late into the night as officials dispatched the materials to their various destinations ahead of the election.

Only a few accredited media practitioners were allowed to witness the distribution process alongside INEC officials.

Confirming the delay, the head of Voter Education and Publicity, Rufius Ariyo, attributed it to the reprinting of ballot papers following a recent court judgment which ordered the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party on the ballot.

According to him, the reprinting process affected the delivery timeline of the sensitive materials from the printing facility to the state.

He, however, assured voters that the delay would not affect the conduct of the election, stating that distribution of the materials commenced around 8:00 p.m. on Friday and was successfully completed.

“We had to reprint the ballot papers after the court judgment directing that the SDP be included on the ballot. That accounted for the delay in the arrival of the sensitive materials,” Ariyo said.

He added that all sensitive materials had been distributed to the 30 local government areas and the Area Office, expressing confidence that the commission was fully prepared for Saturday’s governorship election.

Although INEC has consistently assured voters of its readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible election, the delayed arrival and late-night distribution of the materials have nevertheless raised fresh questions about the commission’s logistical preparedness.

However, security operatives maintained a strong presence throughout the exercise to ensure the safe movement of the materials to their designated destinations ahead of the commencement of voting on Saturday.