By Tracy Moses
Three days to the Osun State governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the reprinting of ballot papers and result sheets to accommodate the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, following a Federal High Court judgment.
INEC disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its 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 for the election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
According to INEC, the decision followed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, involving the Social Democratic Party, Ajala and the commission.
The court directed INEC to “forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish” Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate for the governorship election.
In compliance with the judgment, the commission said it had commenced the reprinting of the ballot papers to reflect Ajala’s inclusion, bringing the number of political parties participating in the election to 15.
INEC also said the result sheets for the election were being reprinted to reflect the addition of the SDP candidate.
The development comes as the commission enters the final stage of preparations for the governorship poll, leaving it with only a few days to produce and distribute the revised electoral materials across the state.
INEC said the reprinted ballot papers were expected to arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would be moved the same day to the various Local Government Area offices for onward distribution in accordance with its established procedures.
The court-ordered inclusion of Ajala has therefore necessitated last-minute adjustments to some of the materials already prepared for the election.
The commission is expected to ensure that the revised ballot papers and result sheets reach polling locations before voting begins on Saturday.
INEC assured political parties, candidates and voters that the latest changes would not affect its commitment to conducting the election in accordance with the law.
It reiterated its commitment to conducting a “free, fair, and credible election” in Osun State.
The development adds another layer to preparations for the closely watched governorship election, which has attracted significant political attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the inclusion of Ajala, voters will now have 15 political parties to choose from when they go to the polls on Saturday.
The commission urged all stakeholders to cooperate with its officials as it completes the final logistical arrangements for the election.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, across the state.