By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Osun State has raised concerns over the electoral materials to be used for Saturday’s governorship election, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve issues surrounding the proposed ballot papers and result sheets before the poll.
The council said the use of uncustomised ballot papers and result sheets could undermine confidence in the August 15, 2026, election.
Osun IPAC, in a statement signed by its Caretaker Committee Chairman, Odesola Oluseye Titus, linked its concerns to a July 22, 2026, court judgment involving the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The council urged INEC to comply with the judgment and ensure that all electoral materials deployed for the election meet the required legal specifications.
Titus said customised ballot papers and result sheets were necessary to protect the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“It is unacceptable for INEC to proceed with uncustomised ballot papers and result sheets, especially after a court ruling that has clear implications for the integrity of the election,” he said.
The IPAC chairman accused the commission of failing to act promptly on the court judgment and called for immediate corrective measures ahead of the election.
He warned that failure to resolve the matter could generate doubts about the conduct of the poll and urged INEC to uphold the rule of law and provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, as amended.
Titus also raised a separate concern over the presence in Osogbo of Pauline Ugoyenka, whom he identified as the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ebonyi State.
He alleged that Ugoyenka was in Osogbo despite not appearing on the list of RECs deployed to Osun State and called on the INEC Chairman to investigate the matter.
He said appropriate sanctions should be imposed if the official was found to have breached any electoral regulations.
“We stand united in our stance; there is no room for compromise when it comes to the democratic rights of the people of Osun State,” Titus said.
The council urged INEC to ensure that fully customised ballot papers and result sheets are used for the election, adding that it would continue to monitor preparations for the poll.
Meanwhile, the distribution of sensitive electoral materials scheduled for Thursday was postponed following the inclusion of the Osun SDP governorship and deputy governorship candidates.
The Osun INEC spokesperson, Musa Olurode, confirmed that the distribution had been postponed but said a new date had yet to be announced.
