Citing court order, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Osun State Governorship election, Dr. Francis Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, have been added to the ballot.
The commission had fixed Saturday August 15 for the office season governorship election.
INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna in a statement issued explained that the action was taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 22nd July 2026 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026, between SDP and Dm Ajala on the one hand and INEC on the other.
TheHintsNews reports that the Court had ordered the Commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Ajala as the candidate of SDP.
Haruna noted: “Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th August 2026, are being reproduced to reflect this addition, bringing to 15, the total number of political parties contesting the election.
“The result sheets for the election are also being reproduced alongside the ballot papers to reflect the inclusion of the SDP candidate.”
The Commission informed the public that the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun State on Thursday, 13th August 2026, and would, same day, be moved to Local Government Area offices across the State, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.
It assured political parties, candidates, and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun State.