The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reproduced ballot papers and result sheets for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election following the inclusion of Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Olugbenga Ajala on the ballot.

Ajala and his running mate, Faseke Oladipo, were added after a Federal High Court in Abuja, in a judgment delivered on July 22, ordered INEC to recognise, accept, process, upload and publish their details as the SDP’s candidates.

In a statement on Wednesday, INEC said the development had increased the number of political parties contesting the August 15 election to 15.

“The ballot papers for the election … are being reproduced to reflect this addition,” the commission said, adding that the result sheets were also being reproduced.

INEC is expected to distribute sensitive election materials to the state’s 30 local government areas on Thursday. The exercise is scheduled to take place at the Central Bank of Nigeria premises in Osogbo, the state capital.

The state INEC spokesperson, Musa Olurode, said journalists would be informed of the time the distribution would begin.

Ajala said the SDP remained optimistic about its chances despite the limited time available for campaigning following the court battle.

“We are now coming out to the starting point,” he said, describing the situation as an “unfair competition” because other candidates had spent considerably more time campaigning.

However, Ajala said the party would do its best and expressed confidence that it could still win the election.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.