The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the reprinting of ballot papers and result sheets for the Osun State governorship election following the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, on the ballot.

INEC said the decision was in compliance with a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, filed by the SDP and Ajala against the Commission.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the court ordered it to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate for the election.

According to INEC, the reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and will be distributed the same day to the Commission’s offices across the state’s local government areas in line with its standard distribution procedure.

“The Commission wishes to inform the public that the reproduced ballot papers will arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13th August 2026, and will, same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the State, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election,” the statement said.

The Commission further disclosed that the result sheets for the election were also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.

With the addition of Ajala to the ballot, the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election has risen to 15.

The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

INEC assured political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State.