The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it may have to reprint ballot papers for the August 15 Osun State governorship election after a High Court ordered the inclusion of another political party, despite ballots already being printed.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed the development on Friday during separate courtesy visits to former Heads of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd) in Minna, Niger State.
Amupitan described the court order as one of several operational challenges confronting the electoral body ahead of major elections.
“Just yesterday, my Legal Director informed me of a court order directing us to add another political party after we had already printed ballot papers for Osun State.
”All those ballot papers will likely have to be canceled and reprinted, ” he said.
Despite the setback, he assured Nigerians that INEC remained committed to conducting a credible election.
“Despite these issues and the trust deficiency we currently face, we continue to do our best for a successful election,” he said.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed that votes would count in both the Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections, adding that the commission remains focused on delivering transparent and inclusive polls.
He announced that the Osun governorship election will hold on August 15, while political parties are expected to sign the Peace Accord on July 30 in Osogbo.
Amupitan also confirmed that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
He said the visits to the two elder statesmen were aimed at seeking their prayers, guidance and continued support for peaceful and credible elections.
Meanwhile, Amupitan encouraged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise before it closes on July 26, urging citizens to actively participate in the country’s democratic process.
Responding, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar urged INEC to remain impartial and resist political pressure, noting that politicians often blame the electoral body whenever election results do not favour them.
“You must do justice to all and sundry. All political parties are yours; you do not have any political party to call your own,” he said.
He advised the commission’s leadership to remain focused on its constitutional responsibilities despite criticism.
“No matter what you do, political parties will have a go at you and claim you have done something wrong. That is the nature of Nigerians.”
Abdulsalami also disclosed that the National Peace Committee would hold a strategic meeting in Abuja on July 29, ahead of the signing of the Peace Accord for the Osun governorship election, describing the poll as a critical test ahead of the 2027 general elections
