Osun polls: INEC prints ballot papers, includes SDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will be included in the ballot for Saturday’s governorship election.

Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SDP is presenting Dr Francis Ajala as its governorship candidate, while Faseke Oladipo is the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the election.

The development means voters will have the opportunity to choose the SDP candidates alongside those of other participating political parties on election day.

Haruna also stated that the commission was already reprinting ballot papers and results sheets for the exercise.

He said that the action was taken in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 22 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/344/2026 between SDP and Ajala against INEC.

Haruna noted the court had ordered the commission to forthwith recognise, accept, upload, process and publish the name and particulars of Ajala as the SDP candidate for the governorship election.

“Consequently, the ballot papers for the election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, Aug. 15, 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,” he said.

Haruna stated that the reproduced ballot papers would arrive in Osun on Aug. 13 and would, on the same day, be moved to the commission’s local government area offices across the state, in line with its standard distribution procedure ahead of the election.

“INEC assures political parties, candidates and the general public of its commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election in Osun,’’ he said.

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