The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to reprint the ballot papers and result sheets for the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election following a court judgment ordering the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, on the ballot.
INEC disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
The commission said Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, had been added to the ballot in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026.
According to INEC, the court ordered it to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Ajala as the SDP candidate for the election.
The commission said the development had increased the number of political parties contesting the election to 15.
INEC said the ballot papers and result sheets were being reproduced to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.
It added that the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and would be moved to the Local Government Area offices across the state on the same day in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.
The commission assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.