The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and result sheets for the Osun State governorship election following a court order directing the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr Francis Olugbenga Ajala, on the ballot.

Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, have now been added to the list of candidates for the election, bringing the number of political parties participating in the poll to 15.

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

INEC said the decision followed a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 involving the SDP, Ajala and the electoral commission.

According to the commission, the court directed it to recognise, accept, upload, process and publish Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate for the election.

In a statement issued by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission said the ballot papers and result sheets were being reproduced to reflect the court-ordered inclusion.

INEC disclosed that the newly reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would subsequently be transported to the various Local Government Area offices across the state in accordance with its established distribution procedures.

The commission assured political parties, candidates and voters that it remained committed to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in the state.

The development comes just two days before the scheduled poll, with INEC moving to ensure that the court-ordered changes are reflected in the materials to be used for the election.