The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the reproduction of ballot papers and result sheets for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election following a court order directing the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Francis Olugbenga Ajala, in the poll.
The late development means INEC must now adjust some of its sensitive election materials just days before Osun voters head to the polls on August 15.
The commission disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
According to INEC, the development 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.
The court reportedly directed INEC to immediately recognise, accept, process, upload and publish Ajala’s name and other particulars as the SDP candidate for the Osun governorship election.
The ruling also paved the way for Ajala’s running mate, Faseke Babajimi Oladipo, to be reflected in the electoral materials.
Following the judgment, INEC said it began reproducing the ballot papers and result sheets to ensure that both candidates are properly captured in Saturday’s election.
15 Parties Now In The Race
The inclusion of Ajala has increased the number of political parties participating in the Osun governorship election to 15.
That adjustment has also created a tight logistical window for the electoral commission, which is now racing against time to reproduce and distribute the sensitive materials before polling begins.
INEC said the newly reproduced ballot papers are expected to arrive in Osun on Thursday, August 13 — just two days before the election.
The materials will subsequently be moved to the commission’s offices across the state’s local government areas for distribution in accordance with its established procedures.
“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,” INEC stated.
With the court ruling coming close to election day, the commission faces the delicate task of incorporating the new candidate without disrupting its wider preparations for the poll.
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INEC, however, said the late adjustment would not derail the election timetable.
The commission assured political parties, candidates and voters that it had put the necessary logistical arrangements in place to ensure the reproduced sensitive materials were delivered to the appropriate locations ahead of Saturday’s voting.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election despite the last-minute change to the ballot.
Osun Voters Prepare For 15-Party Contest
The development adds another twist to an already closely watched Osun governorship election, with political parties intensifying their final campaigns ahead of Saturday’s vote.
With Ajala now officially included on the ballot, voters will have 15 political parties to choose from when they elect the next governor of the state.
The immediate challenge for INEC is now clear: reproduce, transport and distribute the new materials across Osun in time — leaving little room for logistical errors before polling opens on August 15.