The Independent National Electoral Commission has added the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Dr Francis Ajala, and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, to the ballot for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The election is scheduled to hold on 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.
The court ordered INEC to “forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish” Ajala’s name and particulars as the SDP candidate for the election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said it was reproducing the ballot papers and result sheets to reflect the court-ordered inclusion.
The development brings the number of political parties contesting the Osun governorship election to 15.
INEC said the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, August 13, and would be moved to Local Government Area offices across the state on the same day.
“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,” the statement said.
The commission said the distribution would follow its standard procedures ahead of Saturday’s poll.
INEC also assured political parties, candidates and voters of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible election in Osun State.
The updated electoral materials, including the ballot papers and result sheets, are expected to be deployed ahead of the election.
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